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Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, meets with Seychellois National Assembly Speaker Patrick Herminie, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) |
China's top legislator Wu Bangguo on Monday pledged to work with Seychelles to push forward relations between the two countries and their parliaments.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, made the remarks when meeting with Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Patrick Herminie.
Wu hailed the relationship between the two countries, saying it had stepped into a new level in recent years with the joint efforts of top leaders from both sides.
"The Sino-Seychelles relationship sets up a good model of equality and friendly cooperation between large and small nations, and brings concrete benefits for the two peoples", he said.
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Wu Bangguo (R Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, meets with Seychellois National Assembly Speaker Patrick Herminie (L Front), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) |
"We advocate democratization in international relations and hold that countries, no matter large or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are all equal members of the international community," said Wu.
China opposed any big, strong or rich country that would coerce, humiliate and intimidate countries that are small, weak or poor, he noted.
Wu said China was ready to increase exchanges and mutual trust with Seychelles, and expand cooperation with the African nation within the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
As to inter-parliamentary relations between the two nations, Wu said the NPC hoped to promote relations with the Seychelles National Assembly, and work with it to keep the momentum of high level visits and expand exchanges between special committees from both sides.
Echoing Wu, Herminie said the two countries enjoyed increasingly close bilateral ties and always supported and respected each other.
"The Seychelles National Assembly values relations with the NPC," he said, applauding China's unselfish help to his country.
He reiterated that Seychelles firmly adhered to the one-China policy.
The speaker was here on an official goodwill visit to China from March 22 to 28 at the invitation of Wu.