China and Brazil signed in Brasilia Wednesday a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to set up a regular exchange mechanism between
China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Brazil's Chamber of
Deputies.
The agreement was signed by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC
Standing Committee, and Aldo Rebelo, president of Brazil's Chamber
of Deputies. After the signing ceremony, Rebelo, on behalf of
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, presented Wu a legislative medal to
honor his "positive contributions" to the establishment of the
exchange mechanism.
Wu, who is on an official goodwill visit to Brazil, told Rebelo
during their talks that the establishment of the regular exchange
mechanism between China's NPC and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies
signifies that the cooperation between the two sides has entered
into a new stage for pragmatic cooperation.
He said he hopes China's NPC and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies
will take this opportunity to intensify regular exchanges so as to
improve mutual understanding and political trust.
Wu said he also hopes the mechanism will cover the exchanges and
cooperation at all levels between the two legislative bodies and
attract more and more deputies.
Brazil, which forged strategic partnership with China in 1993,
is the first country that has set up such relations with China.
Wu said the relations between China and Brazil are now at its
prime time with frequent high-level visits, increasing political
trust and growing economic and trade cooperation.
"China believes that the China-Brazil relationship is one of
China's most important bilateral ties with Latin-American
countries. China is ready to work with Brazil to push forward the
China-Brazil strategic partnership," Wu said.
Rebelo said the signing of the MOU is an important step for
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies and China's NPC to strengthen friendly
cooperation.
He said China is the most important partner of Brazil in Asia
and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies is ready to work with China's NPC
to upgrade parliamentary cooperation to a new level.
Rebelo reiterated that Brazil firmly abides by the one-China
policy and supports Chinese people's efforts in realizing national
reunification.
Wu expressed his appreciation for Brazil's support.
Wu arrived in Brazil Tuesday afternoon for an official goodwill
visit. Brazil is the first leg of Wu's three-nation tour in Latin
America, which will also take him to Uruguay and Chile.
(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2006)
