Wu Bangguo (C, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presents office supplies to Sri Lanka as he meets with Chamal Rajapaksa (R, front), speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 17, 2012. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Monday proposed measures to strengthen the comprehensive partnership of cooperation between China and Sri Lanka while meeting with Chamal Rajapaksa, speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, is here for a four-day visit since Saturday.
China and Sri Lanka should deepen their strategic coordination and strengthen bilateral exchanges between governments, legislatures and local authorities, so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust, said Wu.
China is willing to expand imports from Sri Lanka to promote trade balance and facilitate bilateral cooperation, said the Chinese leader, adding that the two countries should also strengthen investment cooperation in areas like infrastructure and tourism.
The establishment of a Chinese Culture Center in Sri Lanka offers an opportunity for both sides to further expand culture exchanges and promote tourism, Wu noted.
He also urged the two countries to closely coordinate on multilateral platforms to help better address global challenges such as climate change and non-traditional security threats.
For his part, Rajapaksa said that China's fast development has created important opportunities for other Asian countries including Sri Lanka.
He added that after more than half a century of friendly cooperation, Sri Lanka treasures its friendship with China and wishes to further deepen bilateral ties to promote common development.
Wu, who is on a four-nation tour, already visited Iran and Myanmar and will also go to Fiji.
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