China's top legislator meets Maldivian president

Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo met with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Tuesday and hopes to strengthen the cooperation between the countries' legislative body.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee and the National People's Congress and a member of the powerful standing committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said developing parliamentary relationship will fuel China-Maldives ties.

China and the Maldives have enhanced cooperation in political, economic and trade areas, and maintained coordination in international affairs, he noted.

"We advocate democratization in international relations, and hold that countries, large or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are all equal members of the international community," said Wu.

He said China appreciates the support of the Maldives on the issues of Taiwan and human rights.

Gayoom said the Maldives and China have had close cooperation in many fields, and held similar views on many international and regional issues.

He thanked China for its long-term assistance to his country and said the Maldives hopes to expand tourism and fishing cooperation with China.

Parliamentary relations should also be strengthened, he said.

He reaffirmed that the Maldivian government will continue to observe the one-China policy.

Gayoom arrived here Monday on a three-day state visit to China.

Source: Xinhua