Chinese top lawmaker's visit helps advance cooperation with Europe

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:30 May 25 2009]
• Comments

China's top lawmaker Wu Bangguo left here for home on Sunday afternoon after concluding his three-nation Europe tour, which helped push his country's relations and cooperation with Europe.

Wu is the first chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), top legislature of China, who has paid an official goodwill visit to Austria in 15 years and to Italy in 12 years. The Europe tour also took Wu to Russia.

Wu Bangguo (L front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, is greeted upon his arrival in Moscow, capital of Russia, May 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

During the 11-day trip, Wu met with the heads of state and governments of the three European nations and held talks with their parliament leaders.

ENHANCING PARLIAMENTARY EXCHANGES

Wu's visit greatly advanced friendly exchanges and cooperation between China's legislature NPC and the parliaments of the three nations.

During the visit to Russia, Wu and Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov jointly attended the third session of the cooperation committee between the NPC and the lower chamber of Russian parliament, or the State Duma.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), and Russia's State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov attend the third meeting of the cooperation committee between NPC and the Russian State Duma in Moscow, Russia, May 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Wu said in a meeting with Gryzlov that development of the mechanism of regular exchanges between the parliaments of China and Russia has proved the unique advantage of inter-parliamentary exchanges. He said such exchanges has not only helped enhance friendship and deepen political trust between the two peoples, but also added new vigor to bilateral links by advancing trade and economic cooperation.

"Today's situation of vigorous growth in China-Russia relations should be contributed to tireless pursuit of good neighborly friendship by the two peoples and the joint effort of their parliaments," Wu said.

During the visit to Italy, Wu and Italian Senate President Renato Schifani signed here an agreement on establishing a regular exchange mechanism between the NPC and the Italian Senate. The agreement is the first of its kind ever reached between the parliaments of the two countries.

 In a speech to international media after signing the agreement, Wu said the agreement will help establish a mechanism of regular exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries and add new vigor to the all-round strategic partnership between China and Italy. He noted that the two parliaments have carried out good cooperation, which consists an important part of bilateral relations.

Schifani told reporters that he is glad to sign the strategic agreement between the two parliaments. He said Italy and China enjoy a sound relationship.

During the visit to Austria, Wu met with Barbara Prammer, president of the Austrian National Council, and Harald Reisenberger, president of the Federal Council of Austria.