Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Pascale Bruderer (R), president of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly, and Erika Forster-Vannini (L), president of the Council of States of the Swiss Federal Assembly, in Bern on July 17, 2010. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
BERN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Parliamentary leaders of China and Switzerland on Saturday exchanged views on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual concerns, and both sides pledged to enhance parliamentary exchanges and bilateral ties between the two nations.
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), expressed satisfaction over the significant progress in Sino-Swiss relations in recent years at a meeting with Pascale Bruderer, president of the National Council of Swiss Federal Assembly, and Erika Forster-Vannini, president of the Council of States of Swiss Federal Assembly.
The development of the Sino-Swiss relations has brought substantial benefits to both peoples and China looks forward to working together with Switzerland to further develop the comprehensive friendship and mutual-beneficial cooperation, Wu said.
Switzerland is China's main trade partner in Europe and a major source of foreign investment and technology. China is Switzerland's second largest trade partner in Asia.
Wu said that both sides should properly deal with sensitive issues between them to maintain the momentum of sound development of their bilateral ties.
He proposed that China and Switzerland take more actions to continuously deepen mutual political trust, expand economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The friendly exchange and cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries will help promote an all-round development of their bilateral ties and are in the interest of both peoples, Wu said.
The NPC will work together with the Swiss parliament to promote exchanges in various forms between the two nations' legislative bodies, he added.
Bruderer and Forster-Vannini said Wu's visit will further promote the Swiss-Chinese ties and offer an opportunity for more exchanges between their legislative bodies. They agreed to conduct closer parliamentary exchanges with China.
The further development of Swiss-Chinese ties is in the interest of the Swiss government, legislative bodies and people. The legislative bodies of Swiss will vigorously push forward the substantial cooperation with China in all areas, they said.
Wu arrived in Zurich on Friday for an official goodwill visit to Switzerland.
"The bilateral ties between China and Switzerland have achieved significant progress in recent years. The enhancing mutual political trust, continuously growing economic cooperation and expanding people-to-people exchanges have brought substantial benefits to both peoples," said Wu in a written statement upon his arrival.
"China looks forward to taking advantage of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations to push forward the friendship between our two nations in a healthy way and in the spirit of mutual respect and equality," he said.
After meeting with the country's parliamentary leaders, he is also expected to hold talks with Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation, to discuss Sino-Swiss relations and mutual concerns.
Wu visited Switzerland at the invitation of Bruderer and Forster-Vannini. He is the first top Chinese legislator to visit the country in 16 years.
Switzerland is the last leg of Wu's three-nation Europe tour after France and Serbia. He is scheduled to attend the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Gevena and return home next Tuesday.