China's top legislator vows to boost strategic partnership with Venezuela

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo pledged on Wednesday to boost exchanges with Venezuela between governments, parliaments and parties in order to further cement the two countries' bilateral strategic partnership. Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the pledge while meeting with a delegation from the Venezuelan Congress led by Congress President Fernando Soto Rojas. Wu hailed the achievements of China-Venezuela relations since the forging of diplomatic ties 37 years ago, citing frequent high-level exchanges, fruitful cooperation in various areas, sound coordination in regional and global affairs, and mutual support on major issues concerning each other's core interests. China-Venezuela relations entered a new period of comprehensive development since both sides forged a strategic partnership in 2001, Wu said, adding that China is satisfied with the progress of bilateral ties. Calling Venezuela a country with significant influence in Latin America, Wu said the country is facing profound changes in the international situation, and the strengthening of China-Venezuela relations meets the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples, and also helps world peace, stability and prosperity. Concerning parliamentary exchanges, Wu said the NPC hopes to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Venezuelan Congress among various levels, strengthen coordination in multilateral parliamentary organizations, and boost the sharing of experiences in country governance as well as in democracy and legal system building. In response, Soto told Wu the Venezuelan people admire China's development achievements, and hope to learn from China's experiences. The Venezuelan Congress is willing to facilitate friendly exchanges with the NPC to contribute to closer country-to-country relations, he added. Soto is visiting China from Oct. 23-29 at the invitation of Wu.