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Top lawmaker's visit boosts co-op with Europe
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-25 08:59

Advancing Bilateral Links

Wu's visit helped advanced relations between China and the three European nations.

During the visit to Russia, Wu met with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. Wu said the strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia is currently showing a momentum all-round and rapid growth, as high-level contact remains frequent.

Top lawmaker's visit boosts co-op with Europe
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) shakes hands with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, in Moscow, capital of Russia, May 13, 2009. [Xinhua]

Wu said the high level of China-Russia partnership is fully reflected in such areas as frequent contact between top leaders of the two countries, the staging of "Russian Language Year" in China, the signing of an oil cooperation agreement between the two governments and the exchanges between the NPC and Russian parliament.

Medvedev said Wu's visit to Russia reflects the momentum of fast growth in bilateral links. Under the current environment of international financial crisis, coordination between the parliament of the two countries will be conducive to advancing bilateral cooperation.

In Austria, Wu met with Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Josef Proll.

Top lawmaker's visit boosts co-op with Europe
Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, meets with Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Vienna on May 15, 2009. Wu Bangguo arrived in Vienna on May 15 for a four-day official goodwill visit to Austria. [Xinhua]

During the meetings, Wu emphasized that China places great importance on developing relations with Austria. He said China is ready to expand friendly contact between the governments, parliaments and political parties of the two countries on a basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.

Wu said the two countries should enhance mutual understanding and trust so as to deepen cooperation in various fields and carry out closer coordination and communication on international affairs.

Fischer appreciates the responsible stance and measure that China has taken in addressing international financial crisis. He said the financial crisis has caused great impact on every country in the world and required joint effort of all countries in addressing it.

On his tour to Italy, Wu met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Top lawmaker's visit boosts co-op with Europe
Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome, May 21, 2009. [Xinhua]

During the meetings, Wu said the economy of China and Italy are highly complementary to each other. He said the two sides enjoy a sound foundation of cooperation and great potential of expanding trade.

Wu put forward three suggestions on expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Firstly, he said the two countries should strengthen cooperation between small- and medium-sized companies as a way to expand trade and mutual investment. He said the governments of the two countries should give a full play to their joint committees in a bid to support and facilitate cooperation between the companies.

Secondly, Wu said the two countries should explore new areas of cooperation. Noting that China is working on economic restructuring and upgrading industries, Wu said the two sides share broad prospect in the development and utilization of new energy.

Thirdly, Wu said the two sides should cooperate closely on staging the World Expo. Shanghai and Milan will respectively host the World Expo in 2010 and 2015. Wu expressed the belief that cooperation on this issue will become a new bright spot of China-Italy cooperation.