Trade unions of China and seven central American and Caribbean countries on Wednesday pledged to further friendship and cooperation.

"The All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) is ready to further friendly relations with trade unions of central American and Caribbean countries under the principle of independence, equality, mutual respect and mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and make joint efforts to promote the sound development of international trade union movements," ACFTU President Wang Zhaoguo said in a meeting with trade union leaders from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominica.

Wang is also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

The trade union leaders are in Beijing on a visit invited by ACFTU.

Jose Pinzon, the representative of the trade union leaders and general secretary of the General Central Confederation of Workers of Guatemala, said that the trade unions from central American and Caribbean countries sincerely congratulated the Communist Part of China on its 17th National Congress.

He said they would like to further strengthen friendly cooperation with the Chinese trade union and will adhere to the one-China principle and support China's reunification cause.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2007)