Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo held talks in Abuja Monday morning with visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties.

The two exchanged views and reached consensus on Sino-Nigerian relations, Sino-African ties and international and regional issues of common concern.

Obasanjo expressed warm welcome to Wu, who was on a four-nation Africa tour, and asked Wu to convey his greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), conveyed the greetings from Hu to his Nigerian counterpart and Hu's invitation to Obasanjo to visit China next year in the capacity of both chairman of the African Union and Nigerian president.

Wu also appreciated Obasanjo, an old friend of China, for his contribution to improving the friendship between the two peoples as he, together with Chinese leaders, established direction for bilateral ties development and laid a solid foundation for sustainable, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations during his previous visits to China.

He said that the two peoples have cherished profound traditional friendship and Sino-Nigerian relations have been developing smoothly.

"The Chinese side is satisfied with the smooth development of bilateral ties," Wu said, adding that the two countries have strong economic complementarity in trade and economic cooperation.

China's new leaders attach great importance to development of Sino-Nigerian relations and are willing to join hands with the Nigerian side to increase exchanges and cooperation in all sectors between the two countries, he said.

Owing to Obasanjo's efforts, the two nations have achieved satisfying progress in trade and economic cooperation, Wu said, adding that China pays attention to mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as oil, infrastructure, manufacturing and agriculture.

Obasanjo said he and his government fully support businesses from both countries in their cooperation in the above-mentioned sectors.

Nigeria welcomes Chinese investors and will provide them with preferential policies and a favorable business environment, he said.

The Nigerian president reiterates his country's adherence to the one-China principle, saying it will always support China's great cause of reunification.

Wu, who has visited Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia accompanied by NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Raidi, concluded the visit to Nigeria on Monday afternoon.

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2004)