Fu Tieshan, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), spoke highly of Sino-Italian ties and called for more exchanges between NPC and Italian parliament Tuesday.

Fu, who is also chairman of Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, made the remarks during his meeting with an Italian parliamentary delegation led by Zanoletti Tomaso, chairman of the Labor and Social Security Committee of the Senate.

Fu briefed the guests on China's religious policy, and expressed his appreciation to the Friends of China Association under the parliament for its effort in promoting the friendship of the two nations.

The Italian guests were invited by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU).

An official with the International Department of the CPC Central Committee told a reporter before the meeting that CAFIU usually invites a parliamentary delegation of Italy annually, in a bid to increase exchanges between the NPC and Italian parliament.

Source: Xinhua