Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), met in Beijing Monday with a delegation from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO), led by AIPO President Cheam Yeap.

As China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are friendly neighbors, Wu said, the bilateral relations have been developed rapidly in an all-round way since China became a comprehensive dialogue partner to the ASEAN in 1996.

In 2002, China and the ASEAN signed a framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation, planning to construct a China-ASEAN free trade zone by the year of 2010, Wu said.

Last year, the two sides issued a joint statement on the China-ASEAN strategic partnership towards peace and stability, Wu said.

China also joined the friendly cooperation treaty in Southeast Asia, which symbolized a new height of the bilateral friendship, he said.

Wu said China and the ASEAN still have great potential in developing their relations. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the relationship with the ASEAN.

With the diplomatic guideline of treating neighbors well and taking them partners, China will further strengthen good neighborly relations with the ASEAN members, Wu said.

He said parliamentary exchange is important. The NPC is willing to enhance exchange with the ASEAN members on legislation work.

Cheam Yeap said that the AIPO expects more exchanges with the NPC and hoped the delegation's China visit will enhance understanding of each other and lead to the establishment of more efficient cooperative ties.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2004)