Wu Bangguo (L, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu in Istanbul, Turkey, May 28, 2012. (Xinhua/Ma Yan)
ISTANBUL, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Turkey's Istanbul on Monday for a two-day stopover visit after wrapping up his four-nation European tour.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), met with Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu soon after his arrival, saying the two countries should take substantial measures to lift China-Turkey relationship to a higher level.
Speaking highly of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan' s visit to China in April, Wu said China is willing to work with Turkey to implement the consensus the two sides have made on boosting strategic cooperation and seek to cement closer ties.
Istanbul is a center in Turkey for industry, transportation, trade, culture and finance and has taken a lead in developing cooperation with China, said Wu.
Wu Bangguo (2nd, L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu in Istanbul, Turkey, May 28, 2012. (Xinhua/Ma Yan)
He expressed hope that Istanbul, by taking advantage of its unique geographical advantage, tourist attractions and economic leverage, could further strengthen cooperation with relevant Chinese provinces or cities on such fields of infrastructure as railway, bridge and refinery as well as high-tech areas like nuclear energy and aerospace.
Wu also called on the two countries to increase mutual understanding through the ongoing "Year of Chinese Culture in Turkey 2012", enlarge the scale of tourism, expand trade cooperation and gradually address trade imbalances.
Mutlu, for his part, described China as a country with important influence in the world, saying Turkey attaches importance to bilateral strategic cooperation with China and expects to benefit from China's rapid development.
Mutlu invites the Chinese enterprises to participate in Turkey' s infrastructure construction on areas like railway, port and energy, welcoming more Chinese tourists to visit the city as well as the country.
Wu and Mutlu also agreed to advance parliamentary exchanges between the two countries in a bid to serve the overall nation-to- nation ties.
Wu is on his way home after his official goodwill visits to the Netherlands, Croatia, Luxembourg and Spain.
Special Report: Top legislator Wu Bangguo visits four European nations