国内英语新闻:Top Chinese legislator meets Malaysian senate president

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met here Thursday with President of Malaysian Senate Wong Foon Meng, vowing to enhance parliamentary exchanges.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said China and Malaysia were close neighbors, and the bilateral ties had further developed since the two countries forged the strategic and cooperative partnership in 2004.

The two countries had strengthened political trust, economic and trade cooperation, personnel exchanges, and coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.

Malaysia is a member of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) and forged diplomatic ties with China in 1974.

"Expanding relations with Malaysia is in the interest of the two peoples and conducive to regional peace and prosperity, and will push forward the cooperation between China and the ASEAN," Wu said.

He noted the NPC had maintained sound relations with the Malaysian parliament, but still closer cooperation and exchanges in different forms were needed.

Wong Foon Meng voiced his hope to promote exchanges between the parliament members of the two countries.

Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, also met with Wong Foon Meng Thursday afternoon.