China's top legislator Wu Bangguo pledged on Tuesday closer cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to deepen parliamentary ties with the two Central Asian nations.

 

During a meeting with Speaker of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan Marat Sultanov, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said ties with Kyrgyzstan are growing rapidly, with the settlement of the border issue and the signing of a treaty on neighborly ties.

 

China appreciates Kyrgyzstan's support on the issues including Taiwan, Tibet and the fight against "East Turkistan" terrorist forces and will also support Kyrgyzstan's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and stability, Wu said.

 

Wu expressed the NPC's readiness to work with the Kyrgyz parliament to push forward the neighborly ties and friendly cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan for the benefit of the two peoples.

 

Sultanov, for his part, said Kyrgyzstan stands ready to develop practical cooperation with China in such areas as transport, energy and strengthen parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.

 

When meeting with Speaker of the Upper House of the Tajik Supreme Assembly Makhmad said Ubaidullayev, Wu said China attaches great importance to developing ties with Tajikistan and hopes to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen political trust between the two countries and promote practical cooperation with Tajikistan in economy, trade, security and transport.

 

The NPC is willing to expand parliamentary exchanges with the Central Asian country, Wu said.

 

Ubaidullayev, for his part, said Tajikistan and China share the same or similar positions on major international and regional issues.

 

Boosting bilateral ties and strengthening the practical cooperation in various areas serve the interests of both sides, he said, adding Tajikistan is ready to enhance parliamentary exchanges with China.

 

Earlier in the day, top legislators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathered in the Russian capital for their first meeting.

 

The SCO groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2006)