Surinam's parliament speaker, Paul Somohardjo, on Friday pledged his country's continued adherence to the one-China policy during a meeting with China's top legislator.

"The adherence to the one-China policy is a principled issue for Surinam," said Somohardjo, Speaker of Surinam's National Assembly.

Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, expressed gratitude for Surinam's attitude towards the Taiwan issue, as well as its support for China in international organizations.

Surinam is a small South American nation with a population of almost 500,000. It established diplomatic ties with China in 1976.

China hoped to further cooperate with Surinam on infrastructure, fisheries, and forestry, Wu said, adding the NPC would like to promote exchanges with the Surinamese National Assembly.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2007)