国内英语新闻：Wu Bangguo wishes further parliamentary co-op between Gabon, China

LIBREVILLE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo held talks here on Friday with President of Gabonese National Assembly Guy Nzouba Ndama, saying that the National People's Congress (NPC) of China is ready to step up cooperation with the parliament of Gabon to add new vigor into bilateral relations and jointly push forward friendly relations between the two countries.

    Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, China's top legislature, called Gabon a true friend of China, saying that China is satisfied with the growth momentum of the bilateral relations and the two countries have seen healthy and stable development of friendly and cooperative relations since they established diplomatic ties 34 years ago.

    Wu said that the two sides have achieved remarkable results in cooperation between governments, parliaments and various political parties in fields such as economy and trade, culture and education as well as public health.

Speaker of Gabon's Senate Rene Radembino Coniquet (R) shakes hands with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, during their meeting in Libreville, capital of Gabon, Nov. 7, 2008.

    "We have established our close consultation and cooperation on international affairs, and more importantly, we have made breakthroughs on working together on some big-scale projects," Wu said.

    "It's the treasure to both sides and China will make joint efforts with Gabon to step up cooperation in all dimensions," he added.

    Wu said that the NPC represents the will of Chinese people and shoulders very important responsibility to promote the friendship between Chinese and Gabonese.

    He called on the two countries' parliaments to boost their exchange and cooperation, especially between the parliamentary ad hoc committees and various friendship groups.

    Echoing Wu's views on the bilateral relations and inter-parliamentary cooperation, Ndama said that the frequent mutual visits between the two countries' leaders have pushed forward the bilateral ties into a new stage of development, which he said already brought substantial benefits to the Gabonese people.

    He suggested that the two nations should work closer to expand their cooperation on culture, education, aviation and tourism, reiterating that Gabon would continue to adhere to the one-China policy and support China's peaceful reunification.

    Ndama also said that the relations between the two parliaments have showcased the Gabon-China friendly ties and the Gabonese National Assembly hoped to maintain the frequent exchanges to expand mutual understanding and consolidate substantial cooperation in various fields.

    The Chinese top legislator also met with Rene Radembino Coniquet, speaker of the Gabonese Senate, on the same day. The two sides voiced commitment to boost the bilateral relations and enhance their cooperation to a higher level.

    "The facts have already proved that the growth of the China-Gabon relations not only benefits the two countries and their people, but also helps to promote the peace and development of the world," Wu told Coniquet.

    Wu arrived here on Thursday afternoon for a two-day official visit to Gabon. He will fly to Ethiopia on Saturday to continue his five-African nations tour, which also includes Algeria, Madagascar and Seychelles.