China and Brazil signed in Brasilia Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to set up a regular exchange mechanism between China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies.

 

The agreement was signed by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and Aldo Rebelo, president of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies. After the signing ceremony, Rebelo, on behalf of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, presented Wu a legislative medal to honor his "positive contributions" to the establishment of the exchange mechanism.

 

Wu, who is on an official goodwill visit to Brazil, told Rebelo during their talks that the establishment of the regular exchange mechanism between China's NPC and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies signifies that the cooperation between the two sides has entered into a new stage for pragmatic cooperation.

 

He said he hopes China's NPC and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies will take this opportunity to intensify regular exchanges so as to improve mutual understanding and political trust.

 

Wu said he also hopes the mechanism will cover the exchanges and cooperation at all levels between the two legislative bodies and attract more and more deputies.

 

Brazil, which forged strategic partnership with China in 1993, is the first country that has set up such relations with China.

 

Wu said the relations between China and Brazil are now at its prime time with frequent high-level visits, increasing political trust and growing economic and trade cooperation.

 

"China believes that the China-Brazil relationship is one of China's most important bilateral ties with Latin-American countries. China is ready to work with Brazil to push forward the China-Brazil strategic partnership," Wu said.

 

Rebelo said the signing of the MOU is an important step for Brazil's Chamber of Deputies and China's NPC to strengthen friendly cooperation.

 

He said China is the most important partner of Brazil in Asia and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies is ready to work with China's NPC to upgrade parliamentary cooperation to a new level.

 

Rebelo reiterated that Brazil firmly abides by the one-China policy and supports Chinese people's efforts in realizing national reunification.

 

Wu expressed his appreciation for Brazil's support.

 

Wu arrived in Brazil Tuesday afternoon for an official goodwill visit. Brazil is the first leg of Wu's three-nation tour in Latin America, which will also take him to Uruguay and Chile.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2006)