Wu Bangguo (R Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppe in Bordeaux, France, on July 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

　　BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo who is paying an eight-day visit to France calls for further local-level and big projects cooperation between China and France.

　　While meeting with Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppe on Sunday, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said bilateral ties between the two countries have grown in recent years due to joint efforts of both sides.

　　"The purpose of my current visit is to put into practice the consensus reached by the two heads of state and to advance our comprehensive strategic partnership, which involves cooperation between the two sides at the local level," Wu said.

　　The exchanges and cooperation between Bordeaux and the central Chinese city of Wuhan have developed rapidly in the fields of economy and trade, culture, education and tourism since they became sister cities, setting an example for others in conducting cooperation at the local level, he said.

　　The NPC chairman said China is implementing a regional development strategy to boost development of its central region. It will provide broader space for bilateral cooperation at the local level.

　　The Chinese government will continue to support Chinese provinces and cities including Wuhan in strengthening their cooperation with Bordeaux in such areas as aviation and space, new energy and new materials, green economy and low-carbon technology while deepening cooperation in traditional fields, he added.

　　Juppe said the rapidly growing Chinese economy has brought great opportunities to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, especially between Bordeaux and different localities in China.