China's top legislator Wu Bangguo on Thursday met with US Senate President Pro Tempore Ted Stevens at the United Nations headquarters and held phone conversation with US House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), met Stevens on the sidelines of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments.

The two were here attending the conference, a three-day gathering that started Wednesday.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Wu once again extended China's profound sympathy and regards over the heavy human casualties and material loss suffered by the US southern Gulf region as a result of Hurricane Katrina, expressing the conviction that the American people and their government will surely defeat the disaster and rebuild their homestead.

Both Stevens and Hastert thanked the Chinese government and people for their sincere care and assistance.

During his meeting with Stevens, Wu positively appraised the generally good momentum seen in Sino-US relations.

"Despite differences over some questions, the two countries have more common ground than differences and there exists broad foundation for cooperation," he said.

China appreciates the US side's repeated reiteration that Washington would adhere to the one-China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques, and oppose "Taiwan independence," Wu said.

This year has been an important one in Sino-US relations, and the top leaders of the two countries have maintained close contact, Wu said, nothing that Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet US President George W. Bush at the upcoming summit in New York marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations.

Wu expressed confidence that as long as both sides proceed from a strategic height and from the overall situation, view and treat bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, strengthen dialogue and enhance understanding, Sino-US constructive cooperation will be able to move forward continuously.

Wu and Stevens also exchanged ideas on the next round of regular exchanges between the Chinese NPC and the US Senate.

Before their meeting, Wu presented Stevens a commemorative medal marking the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese invasion, thanking Stevens for his contributions to the victory as a member of the renowned " Flying Tigers."

Stevens, for his part, said he has a special affection towards China as a result of his participation in the war against Japanese aggression. He expressed the hope that the peoples of the US and China, especially of the young generation, would continue to exert efforts for the promotion of US-China friendly cooperation.

During their telephone conversation, both Wu and Hastert expressed satisfaction with their recent talks in Beijing, hoping the two sides would strengthen their exchanges and cooperation, deepen the understanding of the situation of the other country and facilitate the sound and stable development of Sino-US relations.

Source: Xinhua