China is ready to cooperate with Mali in legislation -- leading the way for further friendship and cooperation between the two countries, said China's top legislatorWu Bangguo in Beijing Friday.

NPC leader meets Malian president

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark at a meeting with visiting Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure, who arrived here Thursday on a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

Wu pointed to the sound relationship between the NPC and the Malian parliament, saying that exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries constitute an important part of the bilateral relationship. The tie promotes the understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.

Mali is China's friend and, since the two countries establisheddiplomatic ties over four decades ago, they have witnessed smooth growth of bilateral relations, Wu noted. They have enhanced mutual trust, increased cooperation in various fields and cooperated in international organizations.

Wu expressed his appreciation for the Malian government's one-China policy. He said China and Mali shared common experiences andface the common task for development. Continuously strengthening the Sino-Malian relations is in the common interest of both sides.

The Chinese side treasures friendship with Mali and will make joint efforts with Mali to expand cooperation, promote bilateral relations and safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries in international affairs.

Toure said this visit is bound to push forward the all-round development of Malian-Chinese cooperation. Malian parliamentarianshope to enhance exchanges with the NPC to learn from China's experience, he noted.

This is Toure's first China tour since he assumed presidency in2002.

Besides Beijing, Toure and his colleagues, including some ministers from Malian cabinet in charge of foreign affairs, agriculture, commerce, education and investment, will visit Shanghai municipality in east China and Guangdong province in south China.

The trade volume between China and Mali reached 63.59 million US dollars in 2003.

Source: Xinhua