PORTO-NOVO, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- A visiting senior Chinese legislator here on Monday said China would cement parliamentary ties and exchanges with Benin during a meeting with Benin's parliament head Mathurin Cofi Nago.
Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, said during recent years thanks to the efforts from both parties, the political trust between the two countries has been strengthened. And at the same time, mutually beneficial economic cooperation has been developed while cultural exchanges have been reinforced.
Zhou said that China's NPC and the National Assembly of Benin have achieved fruitful cooperation which constitutes an important part of the friendly relations between the two countries.
China's NPC will work together with Benin's parliament to increase information and experience exchange in areas including state governance, legislative surveillance and legal construction, in a bid to contribute to a deepening China-Benin relationship.
Nago said that the visit by China's NPC delegation is a result of the close ties between Benin and China. He hailed the China- Benin cooperation which he termed as fruitful and pragmatic, and expressed the gratitude of the Benin people for the long-time support China has provided to the country's socio-economic development.
He affirmed that Benin's parliament will strengthen ties with China's NPC in order to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.