Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo reiterated on Friday in Sofia that China would continue to pursue the policy of reunifying Taiwan by adhering to the guideline of "peaceful reunification and one China with two systems."

Wu, who is chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, made the remarks at a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Ognyan Gerdjikov upon his arrival here on anofficial good-will visit.

Wu said the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it is the common aspirations of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to seek the complete reunification of their motherland.

Wu said China would do its utmost to seek reunification through peaceful means, and strongly opposed "Taiwan independence."

Wu voiced appreciation for Bulgaria's consistent adherence to the one-China policy.

Referring to Bulgaria's new membership in NATO, Wu said China supported Bulgaria's efforts to seek a greater role in international affairs and understood the security policies Bulgaria has adopted according to its needs.

"China wants to see Bulgaria play a greater role in the regionand on the world arena as a whole," Wu stressed.

Any country, big or small, rich or poor, has the right to makeits voice heard in international affairs, Wu said.

On bilateral ties, Wu said China has attached importance to relations with Bulgaria and hoped to expand and deepen cooperation with the eastern European state in various fields, and enhance contacts and consultations on major international issues so as to safeguard the interests of both countries.

During his visit Wu would meet separately with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, Parliament Speaker Ognyan Gerdjikov and Prime Minister Simeon Borissov Saxe-Cobur-Gotha to exchange views with them on issues of mutual concern and ways to push forward bilateral ties.

Wu arrived from St.Petersburg of Russia after wounding up a one-week visit to Russia, the first leg of his four-nation tour, which would also take him to Denmark and Norway.