China, Russia initiate regular mechanism of parliamentary exchanges

Wu Bangguo (L Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, shakes hands with Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Sergei Mironov during their meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 25, 2005.

China and Russia signed a chapter for cooperation between the China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Russian Federation Council here Sunday, marking the initiation of the regular mechanism of parliamentary exchanges between the two nations.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and visitingSpeaker of Russian Federation Council Sergei Mironov held talks before the signing ceremony, and agreed to further exchanges on legislative and other fields.

Wu put forward four-point proposals to further Sino-Russian parliamentary cooperation, including deepening political trust; expanding economic and trade cooperation, enhancing the personnel exchanges, and promoting cooperation in the international and regional affairs.

"China would like to work with Russian Federation Council to closer exchanges of legislative organs, and expand cooperation in all levels and fields, so as to promote relations between the two countries," he said.

Wu gave a positive appraisal of the current Sino-Russian relations, referring to facts that Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Russia twice this year, the two countries signed an agreement on east border last year, and the NPC has achieved regular contact with both Russian Federation Council and State Duma.

Mironov said the heads of states between Russia and China have maintained frequent exchanges of visit, and the strategic and cooperative partnership enters a new stage. During the visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Russia this year, the two heads of states reached consensus on building up a just and reasonable international political and economic new order, he said.

He said he will take the chance of the establishment of the regular mechanism of parliamentary exchanges to push forward the relations between Russia and China.

He reaffirmed that Russia adheres to one-China policy.

Source: Xinhua