Wu Bangguo (L, 2nd row), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, and Speaker of the Angolan National Assembly Antonio Paulo Kassoma attend a signing ceremony of agreements between the two countries in Luanda, Angola, May 23, 2011. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
LUANDA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo vowed here on Sunday that China would work with Angola in stepping up inter-parliamentary cooperation to a higher level.
Wu, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the pledge during the talks held with his Angolan counterpart Antonio Paulo Kassoma, president of the National Assembly of Angola to explore ways of further boosting exchange and cooperation between the two parliaments.
Wu praised the recent growth of the bilateral relations, noting that the strategic partnership established last year between the two countries powered the bilateral cooperation to a higher level.
China would firmly support Angolan people's efforts for national development by their own wills and would take an active part in Angola's reconstruction process, Wu said.
On the inter-parliamentary cooperation, Wu noted that the ties between the two parliaments constitute an important foundation for the development of the bilateral relations.
He proposed to further the parliamentary cooperation by strengthening high-level exchange among parliament leaders, specific committees and friendly groups to increase political trust, pragmatic cooperation and friendship between the two peoples.
The two parliaments should work closely in the various regional and the international settings, the top legislator added.
Agreeing with Wu's proposal on the development of the cooperation between the two parliaments, Kassoma expressed his commitment to cement the inter-parliamentary exchange at various levels and cooperation in the various forms.
He also expressed his appreciation to the supports offered by China to help Angola to restore peace and promote reconstruction.
As Kassoma's guest, Wu arrived in Angola on Sunday. The country is the second leg of Wu's four-nation trip to Asia and Africa. He is also scheduled to visit South Africa and Maldives.
China and Angola established diplomatic relations in 1983.