Chinese top lawmaker's visit helps advance cooperation with Europe

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Play VideoWu Bangguo continues Austrian tour

VENICE, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top lawmaker Wu Bangguo left here for home on Sunday afternoon after concluding his three-nation Europe tour, which helped push his country's relations and cooperation with Europe.

Wu is the first chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), top legislature of China, who has paid an official goodwill visit to Austria in 15 years and to Italy in 12 years. The Europe tour also took Wu to Russia.

During the 11-day trip, Wu met with the heads of state and governments of the three European nations and held talks with their parliament leaders.

ENHANCING PARLIAMENTARY EXCHANGES

Wu's visit greatly advanced friendly exchanges and cooperation between China's legislature NPC and the parliaments of the three nations.

During the visit to Russia, Wu and Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov jointly attended the third session of the cooperation committee between the NPC and the lower chamber of Russian parliament, or the State Duma.

Wu said in a meeting with Gryzlov that development of the mechanism of regular exchanges between the parliaments of China and Russia has proved the unique advantage of inter-parliamentary exchanges. He said such exchanges has not only helped enhance friendship and deepen political trust between the two peoples, but also added new vigor to bilateral links by advancing trade and economic cooperation.

"Today's situation of vigorous growth in China-Russia relations should be contributed to tireless pursuit of good neighborly friendship by the two peoples and the joint effort of their parliaments," Wu said.