Top Chinese legislator meets Lao president

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Friday met with Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone, discussing how to deepen China-Laos ties, particularly legislative ties.

Choummaly, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), is paying an official visit to China at the invitation of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China (NPC), said China and Laos have respected, trusted and supported each other, which contributed to the sound development of China-Laos relations and CPC-LPRP ties.

Zhang reviewed friendly ties and extensive cooperation between the NPC and the Lao National Assembly(LNA), calling on the two sides to carry out the consensus reached during Choummaly's visit, expand scope of exchanges, improve cooperation and promote growth of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic partnership.

Choummaly said his visit is fruitful and injects a vitality into bilateral relations.

Choummaly said the LNA would like to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC.

On Thursday, President Xi Jinping held talks with Choummaly. Premier Li Keqiang also met with Choummaly.

Choummaly will conclude his five-day China visit on Monday.