Legislatures in all Chinese provinces should further strengthen cooperation with their counterparts in all states of the United States, visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said in Honolulu Saturday.

Wu made the remark during a meeting with Governor of Hawaii Linda Lingle. Noting there is a long history of exchanges between China and Hawaii, Wu said Hawaii has become a sister state to a few Chinese provinces and municipalities. He expressed the hope that the two sides will further explore the potential for cooperation and expand the scope of cooperation so as to make new contributions to the development of Sino-US relations.

Lingle said the people of Hawaii cherish special goodwill toward the Chinese people. She said the state of Hawaii has great interest in developing friendly relations with China. The state government will take further actions to expand cooperation with China in such fields as culture and tourism.

Saturday morning, Wu paid a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial and battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor to moan the service persons who were killed in the anti-Fascist war more than 60 years ago.

Wu is making a technical stopover at Honolulu. He flew in from New York after attending the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments Friday.

Wu said the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments held on Sept. 7-9 was a total success. During his stay in New York, Wu met with US Senate President Pro Tempore Ted Stevens and talked with US House Speaker Dennis Hastert on telephone.

Wu said he is deeply impressed with the American people's strong will to develop Sino-US relations. This is a proof that developing bilateral relations conforms with the common aspiration of the peoples of the two countries, Wu said. Wu will return to Beijing on Monday.

Source: Xinhua