BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Thursday called for stronger ties with the Austrian parliament.
"China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress (NPC), would like to step up exchanges with Austrian National Council and Federal Council," Wu told visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer.
Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, proposed boosting parliamentary contacts.
Fischer agreed with Wu's proposal and pledged to step up cooperation in the legislature and other fields.
It is Fischer's first state visit to China since he took office in July 2004. His entourage included more than 60 officials in health, defense, sports, business, commerce, banking, and around 120 business executives.
On Wednesday, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Fischer witnessed the signing of five deals in public health, quarantine, science and technology, personnel training and Chinese education.
In their hour-long meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Wu also briefed Fischer on China's efforts to tackle the global economic downturn and seek stable economic growth.
Fischer said Austrians had been closely watching China's economic development.
China's rapid growth would create favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit, Fischer said.
Fischer will travel to Shanghai on Friday.