The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, wants to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with its Pakistani counterpart, said NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo in Beijing on Monday.

 

Wu made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf who is here on a five-day state visit at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

 

Wu said despite the great changes in both the international situation and the domestic circumstances of the two countries, the relations between China and Pakistan have been developing since the establishment of diplomatic ties 55 years ago.

 

The two sides have had frequent high-level exchanges and political mutual trust has been increasingly deepened, Wu said.

 

Both sides have continuously strengthened cooperation for mutual benefit, cooperated closely in international and regional affairs, and communicated and coordinated well in fields like fighting terrorism and safeguarding regional security, said Wu.

 

He said the NPC is the firm supporter of the friendship between China and Pakistan and is ready to exchange experience with the Pakistani parliament in terms of managing the state and political affairs.

 

Musharraf said he is very happy to visit China on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties. The Pakistan-China relationship has endured the test of time and has developed into an all-round cooperative relationship with firm foundations, he said.

 

Musharraf said Pakistan hopes to further consolidate political relations with China, and to expand cooperation in fields of economy, trade and education with China. He also hoped that the two countries could continue to support and coordinate with each other in anti-terrorism efforts and major international and regional affairs, to safeguard the security and stability of the region.

 

Musharraf expressed his condolences over the death of three Chinese engineers who were recently killed in Pakistan. He strongly condemned the terrorists' attempts to damage Pakistan-China relations.

 

Wu said the Chinese people are shocked over the murders. He noted that the Pakistani government has strongly condemned the terrorist attack, and expressed the hope that the Pakistani side would take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)