Top Chinese legislator meets Cambodian counterpart

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, meets with his Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2011. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo met here on Monday with his Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin, and both pledged to further exchanges and cooperation between parliaments.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, hailed the traditional friendship between the two states.

He said the establishment of the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010 initiated a new phase of bilateral ties.

China will work with Cambodia to maintain high-level visits, consolidate cooperation between the governments, parliaments and parties, boost economic cooperation and trade, especially in agriculture and irrigation sectors, Wu said.

He also pledged to enhance security cooperation to jointly crack down on cross-border crimes and terrorist activities.

China will also strengthen coordination with Cambodia in multilateral affairs to bolster bilateral ties and bring benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Wu proposed the two parliaments maintain close contact and share experience on governance, economic development, disaster-and-poverty relief.

Heng Samrin, president of the Cambodian National Assembly, said the booming cooperation with China has yielded tangible benefits for the two peoples.

The Cambodian government, parliament and people value the traditional friendship with China and will strive to promote bilateral ties.

Cambodia will, as always, adhere to the one-China policy, he said.

Besides Beijing, Heng Samrin will also visit the northeast port city of Dalian and south China's economic powerhouse of Guangdong Province.