Visiting senior Chinese legislator Wang Zhaoguo discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation here Thursday with Paddy Burke, chairman of Ireland's Seanad Eireann, the upper house of parliament.

During the meeting, Wang, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the development of bilateral ties had been smooth since the two countries established diplomatic relations in June 1979, with frequent high-level exchanges and fruitful cooperation in various fields.

He said both China and Ireland shared hopes to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. China was willing to work with Ireland to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and deepen their cooperation.

In recent years, the two countries had seen increasing parliamentary exchanges and cooperation, Wang said, adding he hoped the two parliaments could step up their friendly contacts.

Burke said the Irish parliament was willing to boost exchanges and cooperation with China's NPC to promote bilateral relations.

Ireland is the second leg of Wang's ongoing three-nation Europe tour, which has taken him to Ukraine and will see him visit Poland before returning to China.