BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator, Wu Bangguo, met with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak in Beijing on Monday, vowing closer parliamentary exchanges with the country.
Calling parliamentary exchanges an important component for bilateral relations, Wu said to enhance China-ROK parliamentary links would strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries' politicians, and friendship between the two peoples.
Hailing the remarkable cooperation between China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the ROK's National Assembly, Wu said the establishment of the regular exchange mechanism between the two parliamentary bodies had offered a platform for them to discuss major issues of common concern.
Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, urged both sides to enhance dialogues at various levels and improve regular exchange mechanisms, to contribute to all-round growth of bilateral ties.
The NPC and ROK National Assembly launched the regular exchange mechanism in January 2006.
Lee, who is on a three-day China trip, told Wu he was glad to visit China at the beginning of 2012, also the 20th anniversary of ROK-China diplomatic ties.
The ROK side spoke highly of the achievements of bilateral relations over the past 20 years, Lee said, adding he hopes his visit would further bilateral cooperation in various areas including parliamentary exchanges.
They also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Wu hailed the all-round progress of China-ROK relations, citing frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced political trust, fruitful trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.
"To facilitate China-ROK relations meets the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples, and also helps regional peace, stability and development," he said.
This year also marks a year of China-ROK friendly exchanges. Wu said bilateral relations were at a new starting point, and faced important opportunities for development.
"China hopes to work closely with the ROK to strengthen friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation, to further push forward bilateral relations," he added.
At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Lee arrived in Beijing earlier Monday for his second state visit to China since taking office in February 2008.