Wu Bangguo (front R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China'a National People's Congress (NPC), is welcomed upon his arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, July 16, 2010. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Zurich on Friday for an official goodwill visit to Switzerland. (Xinhua Photo)
ZURICH,July 16 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Zurich on Friday for an official goodwill visit to Switzerland.
"The bilateral ties between China and Switzerland have achieved significant progress in recent years. The enhancing mutual political trust, continuously growing economic cooperation and expanding people-to-people exchanges have brought substantial benefits to both peoples," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China'a National People's Congress (NPC), in a written statement upon his arrival here.
"China looks forward to taking advantage of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations to push forward the friendship between our two nations in a healthy way and in the spirit of mutual respect and equality," Wu said.
Wu came here at the invitation of Pascale Bruderer, president of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly, and Erika Forster-Vannini, president of the Council of States of the Swiss Federal Assembly.
Wu Bangguo (front R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China'a National People's Congress (NPC), is welcomed upon his arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, July 16, 2010. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Zurich on Friday for an official goodwill visit to Switzerland. (Xinhua Photo)
He is expected to hold talks with Bruderer, Forster-Vannini and Doris Leuthard, president of the Swiss Confederation, to discuss the Sino-Swiss relationship and mutual concerns during his stay in Switzerland.
Wu's visit to Switzerland is the first by a top Chinese legislator in 16 years.
Switzerland is the last leg of Wu's three-nation Europe tour after France and Serbia. He is scheduled to attend the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Gevena and return to China next Tuesday.