Wu Bangguo (C, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), addresses the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva, Switzerland, July 19, 2010. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo's visit to France, Serbia and Switzerland from July 7 to 20 has contributed to promoting China's relations, including trade, with the three nations.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), also attended the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva during his stay in Switzerland.

PROMOTING SMOOTH DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL TIES

After arriving in Paris on July 7, Wu met extensively with French government officials and parliamentarians, including President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fillon, speaker of the French National Assembly Bernard Accoyer, Senate President Gerard Larcher and others.

France established diplomatic relations with China in 1964, becoming one of the first Western countries to set up official ties with the People's Republic of China. Because of its pioneering nature and strategic significance, the Sino-French relationship has played a leading role in relations between Western countries and China.

During the meetings, both sides hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries as well as the smooth development of bilateral ties in recent years while pledging joint efforts to boost their comprehensive strategic partnership, which was launched in 2004.

They pledged to keep the pioneering nature and strategic significance of their relationship and maintain a constant drive to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two nations also vowed to respect each other's core interests and major concerns and strengthen coordination in international affairs.

When visiting Serbia, Wu said China attached great importance to the development of Sino-Serbian relations and regarded Serbia as a good friend and partner.

Wu said he hoped the two countries could consolidate their long friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and boost mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wu is the first NPC chairman to visit Serbia in the past decade.

Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China.

While meeting with Swiss leaders, Wu stressed China and Switzerland shared broad common interests though the two countries had different national conditions and cultures.

He said China and Switzerland should take advantage of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations to continuously deepen mutual political trust, expand economic cooperation and humanitarian exchanges.