Visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said in Manila Sunday the prospects for the friendly cooperation between his country and the Philippines based on good-neighborliness, mutual trust and mutual benefits will become broader.

Wu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, and Speaker Jose de Venecia of the Philippine House of Representatives held an extensive discussion on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the exchange between the two legislatures and the regional cooperation, and reached consensus on many important issues.

The top Chinese legislator said when he met with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in their bilateral relationship made through frequent exchange of high-level visits, mutually beneficial trade cooperation and the peaceful solution to differences between the two countries through consultations on the basis of equality.

Wu made a positive comment on the relationship between the legislatures of the two countries, saying the frequent visits and direct dialogues between leaders of the NPC and the Philippine parliament have played an important role in strengthening their mutual understanding and trust.

He noted that in the past two years, the two sides have cooperated closely and supported each other in the framework of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), which has deepened the bilateral friendly ties.

On his part, Jose de Venecia agreed with Wu's comment on the China-Philippines bilateral relationship, saying the Philippine parliament would like to join hands with the NPC to make more contribution to the development of bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The Philippine speaker thanked China for its support to the Philippines on many issues, including trade projects related to the life of Filipinos, which shows the constant deepening of the Philippines-China friendship. He also recommended that people-to-people exchanges be increased, apart from the high-level visits and government agency exchanges.

Wu and his delegation are here on a four-day official visit to the Philippines and will attend the 4th annual meeting of AAPP on Monday.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2003)