Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator, met Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland in Beijing on January 19, vowing to further legislative cooperation between the two countries.

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, shakes hands with visiting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 19, 2005.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, told Ahern that China and Ireland have witnessed sound development of bilateral ties since they forged diplomatic ties 26 years ago.

"We have had good cooperation in many international and regional issues," Wu said. He said China's economic and social development have made great achievements since the country's reform and opening-up, and Ireland has also successfully transferred from an farming and stock-raising economy to a knowledge-intensive one.

"Those factors provided good condition for the two countries to enhance cooperation in all fields," Wu said.

The National People's Congress, China's top legislature, supports the development of ties between the two countries and their legislative bodies, he said.

Ahern said that his visit was successful and that the two sides achieved broad consensus in strengthening bilateral ties.

China has made great progress in improving legal issues, and Ireland attaches importance on the cooperation of legislatures of the two countries, he said. And he hoped such exchanges will enhance mutual understanding and boost cooperation in all fields, including politics, economy and trade.

Ahern is in China for a six-day official visit from Jan. 17 to 22 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Source: Xinhua

Source: Xinhua