China and Georgia signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of evasion of taxes Wednesday.  

Top legislator Wu Bangguo and his Georgian counterpart Nino Burdzhanadze witnessed the signing ceremony in Beijing.

During a meeting between the two legislature leaders, Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China and Georgia have enjoyed traditional friendship, and bilateral relations have furthered developed since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 13 years ago.

He noted that the two countries have supported each other on the issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity, and cooperated well in the spheres of economy and trade.

Wu expressed his appreciation to Georgia for its support to China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet, adding China respects Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On the parliamentary relations, Wu said, the NPC has valued its relations with the Georgian National Assembly, adding that China will promote the exchanges between the parliamentary leaders, special committees, and amity groups, as well as maintain cooperation with the Georgian side in the international parliamentary organizations.

Burdzhanadze said the growth of Georgia-China relations has brought substantial benefits the people of both countries, and Georgia would like to enhance cooperation with China in the political, economic, cultural, and other fields.

He also voiced the hope that the Georgian National Assembly would promote exchanges with the Chinese NPC, and learn economic legislation from China in particular.

Meanwhile, he reaffirmed that Georgia will firmly adhere to its one-China policy and opposes the "Taiwan independence."

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2005)