Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Alex Tyler, speaker of the Liberian National Assembly, in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 2, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
SHANGHAI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met with speaker of the Liberian National Assembly Alex Tyler in Shanghai Saturday.
Wu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China would work with Liberia to move forward bilateral ties.
Wu said China regarded Liberia as an important partner for cooperation in West Africa.
China-Liberia relations had seen a new momentum of development in recent years, and they had made progress in implementing the agreement reached on the China-Africa Forum.
Wu said Chinese President Hu Jintao's and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's exchange of visits had helped progress in bilateral links.
Wu said inter-parliamentary exchanges were an important part of bilateral links and the NPC was ready to carry out friendly exchanges with the Liberian parliament in all areas.
He expressed the wish that the parliaments of the two countries should make new contributions to the growth of China-Liberia relations.
Tyler said the Liberian people regarded the Chinese as true friends, and that China was a constructive force to maintain world peace and promote common development.
He expressed the wish that the Liberian National Assembly should strengthen friendly ties with the NPC to advance Liberia-China cooperation.
Tyler said Liberia firmly adhered to the one-China policy and supported the peaceful reunification of China.
Both sides exchanged views over bilateral relations and other issues of common concern.
"Your visit to China demonstrates the goodwill of the people of Liberia towards the Chinese," Wu said on Tyler's first visit to China as speaker of the Liberian National Assembly.
Tyler is in China for the Shanghai World Expo and attended celebrations of China's National Pavilion Day Friday, which marked the 61st anniversary of founding of the People's Republic of China.
Tyler extended President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's greetings and congratulated Wu on the success of China National Pavilion Day, saying he was witnessing the biggest World Expo in history.
He also thanked China for its help in the economic development of Liberia.
Wu Bangguo (R, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Alex Tyler, speaker of the Liberian National Assembly, in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 2, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Tao)