Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, the country's top legislature, shakes hands with Amusaa K. Mwanamwambwa, speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, July 8��2005.

Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said on Friday in Beijing that China will exert new efforts in promoting relations with Zambia, especially between the two countries' legislative bodies.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, made the remarks when meeting with Amusaa K. Mwanamwambwa, speaker of the Zambian National Assembly.

The friendly Sino-Zambian relations have kept deepening and developing since the two countries established diplomatic ties 40 year ago, Wu said. Such relations have entered a new stage featured with comprehensive, steady and mature development.

The two countries have maintained exchange of high-level visits, enhanced political mutual trust and cooperation in economy and trade, culture and education, science and technology, sanitation and tourism, Wu said.

"We two countries have also maintained sound coordination and cooperation in international affairs," Wu said, adding that China attaches importance to Sino-Zambian ties and regards Zambia as a good friend, good partner and our brother.

Wu said China will work with Zambia to establish a long-lasting, stable, sincere and friendly, equal and mutual-beneficial and comprehensive cooperative relations.

Wu also stressed exchange and cooperation between the two countries' parliament and legislative body. "NPC will carry out more friendly multi-channel exchange and cooperation with Zambian parliament at all levels."

Wu appreciated Zambia's understanding and support to the one-China policy, saying the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the 1.3 billion Chinese people's feelings.

Mwanamwambwa agreed to Wu's remarks on bilateral relations, saying Zambia appreciates China's achievements in economic development. The Zambian National Assembly would increase exchanges and cooperation with NPC to promote Zambia-China relations and the friendship between the two peoples.

Zambia is firmly against "Taiwan independence" and will continue to support the one-China policy, he stressed.

Source: Xinhua