Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo sent a congratulatory message on Thursday to Fernando Lasama de Araujo on his election as Timor-Leste's House speaker for the period of 2007 to 2012.

Wu said China and Timor-Leste are friendly neighbors. Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties five years ago, the relations between the two countries have witnessed a steady development, with ever-deepening cooperation and ever-increasing exchanges in various fields, he said.

Wu also expressed his hope for further friendly exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, so as to contribute to promoting the good-neighborliness and friendship between the two peoples.

Timor-Leste's new parliament was sworn in on Monday in the capital city of Dili, with Araujo from the Democratic Party elected as House speaker.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2007)