Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo applauded China-Chile relations in Beijing on Monday, saying the bilateral cooperation "already brought concrete benefits to the two peoples".

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks in his meeting with visiting Chilian President Michelle Bachelet Jeria at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Wu said that China always views its ties with Chile in a strategic perspective, promising that the country would make concerted efforts with the Chilian side to step up the bilateral cooperation in fields such as trade, science and technology, and culture.

The top legislator also voiced his hope that the two parliaments could push forward their friendly exchange and cooperation in an aim to help promote the bilateral relations to anew level.

Agreeing with Wu's views on the bilateral ties, Bachelet said that Chile and China always respect each other and treat each other equally, which is an important foundation for the further development of the bilateral relations.

The Chilian government supports boosting the friendly exchanges between the two parliaments, among various political parties and localities, and deepening cooperation in fields of trade, energy, mining industry, culture and tourism, Bachelet said.

Bachelet arrived in Sanya on Friday to start her first state visit to China. She has just attended this year's annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held in Sanya City and met with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Bachelet is scheduled to continue her China tour by leaving Beijing for Shanghai on Monday evening.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2008)