Top legislator meets Italian president

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, shakes hands with visiting Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi during a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 7, 2004.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said in Beijing Tuesday that China and Italy should expand parliamentary relations as a way to enrich the "full-range strategic partnership relations."

Wu made the remarks during a meeting with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who is on a state visit to China.

"The exchange between the parliaments of both nations will increase mutual understanding between the people of the two nations," Wu said. "We hope to increase friendly, cooperative ties with the Italian parliament in terms of legislation."

Wu hoped China and Italy would also step up cooperation in spheres of trade and investment. He noted that China thanked the Italian government for its adherence of one-China policy.

President Ciampi said he was impressed by China's socio-economic advances over the past decades.

He promised support to exchange between parliaments of the two nations as a way to develop better relationship.