China will work with Zimbabwe to expand and deepen friendship and trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, top lawmaker Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Wednesday.

During a meeting with visiting Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Wu said China and Zimbabwe have maintained healthy and steadily relations since the two forged diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

"We have had sincere and effective cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and health sectors," said Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

China is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations and is ready to expand and deepen friendly exchanges and trade and economic cooperation with Zimbabwe.

Mugabe agreed with Wu and said Zimbabwe and China have laid a firm foundation for political and economic relations and have supported each other in international affairs.

The Zimbabwean government attached importance to relations with China, he said.

Wu said China appreciated Zimbabwe's consistent adherence to the one-China policy.

He also hailed the friendly exchanges between parliaments of the two countries, saying that China's NPC would improve ties with the Parliament of Zimbabwe and play a positive role in boosting bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

Mugabe, who is in Beijing for a weeklong state visit, said Zimbabwe supports the parliamentary exchanges and will take further steps to promote cooperation and deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Mugabe began his China visit on Saturday. He held talks with President Hu Jintao on Tuesday, and will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday afternoon.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2005)