Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), pledged in London on Tuesday that China would like to work with Britain to promote parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.

The remarks were made during Gu's separate meetings with Helene Hayman, the first ever woman speaker of the House of Lords, and Alan Haselhurst, deputy speaker of the House of Commons.

Gu, who is visiting Britain for the week-long China-UK Women's Cultural Festival, briefed the two leaders on China's political system and the institutional structure of China's National People's Congress, reiterating that parliamentary exchanges are a major part of inter-governmental relations.

She said China would like to make joint efforts with Britain to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two parliaments in legislation, management and supervision.

During the meetings, Gu, also president of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), briefed the two leaders on the ACWF's work and the ongoing cultural festival.

Both Hayman and Haselhurst commended the bilateral festival, saying that women's exchanges between China and Britain were conducive to promoting understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Haselhurst said more friendly relations between Britain and China in various fields will surely benefit both sides, adding that because the two countries are to host successive Olympic Games, ties would be all the more closer. He suggested that the two countries increase exchanges to share experiences in this aspect.

Hayman talked about British women's participation in politics and expressed the hope to further cooperate with China.

On Monday afternoon, Gu met with Tessa Jowell, British Olympics minister, and Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London.

Zhao Shaohua, vice-president of the All-China Women's Federation, and Fu Ying, Chinese ambassador to Britain, were present at the meetings.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2008)