Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, shakes hands with Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Feb. 14, 2006.

China's top legislator highlighted boosting exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Togolese parliaments to help foster the bilateral relations.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark in his meeting with visiting Togolese president Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe Tuesday afternoon in Beijing.

He noted the exchanges and communications between the two legislatures are an important part of bilateral relations.

The NPC and the Togolese parliament have cultivated friendly exchanges and cooperation for years, which have made a significant contribution to increasing mutual understanding and consolidating traditional friendship between the two peoples, Wu said.

The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and communications with the Togolese parliament, share experiences on the democratic and legal system establishment process, Wu said, noting that the two sides should intensify the consultation and cooperation in international organizations like the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Wu noted that China and Togo maintained smooth development of the bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations and have scored remarkable achievement in cooperation in economic matters, culture, education and public health.

"China appreciates the Togolese government and parliament's adherence to the one-China policy and we will always be a sincere and reliable friend of the Togolese people," Wu stressed.

Faure called China "an old friend of Togo" when met with Wu, noting that Togo admires and is encouraged by the achievement China has scored in economic development and the role China plays in world affairs.

Togo is willing to fortify the cooperation with China in various fields and the exchange activities between the two parliaments, Faure said, pledging that Togo will continue to unswervingly support the one-China policy.

Faure arrived in Beijing Sunday at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. Besides Beijing, the Togolese president will also travel to Shaanxi Province in the northwest and the country's economic powerhouse Shanghai in east China.

Source: Xinhua