Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo(R) meets with President of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique Eduardo Mulembwe in Beijing July 16, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Wednesday vowed to work more closely with Mozambique.

In a meeting with President of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique Eduardo Mulembwe, Wu said the bilateral ties, which had stood up to various tests over the past 35 years, have now stepped into a new phase.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, hailed the frequent high-level visits and rapidly growing trade, which hit some 284.11 million U.S. dollars in 2007, over eight times that in 2001, according to Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

After the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November 2006, the figures showed that Mozambique's exports to China have seen a rapid increase, a radical change from the past when China's exports to the country were the main aspect of bilateral trade.

Wu also lauded bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, education, health and sports.

He said China cherished the friendship with Mozambique and would like to bring bilateral ties to a new high.

While reviewing the exchanges between the two legislatures, Wu proposed a stronger and multi-level cooperation in the field.

Mulembwe, who visited China from July 11 to 17, said he had seen tremendous changes in China as his last China tour was in 2001.

Mozambique would like to learn from China about economic and social development and step up cooperation in agriculture and mineral exploration, Mulembwe said.

He reiterated Mozambique's adherence to the one-China policy and wished a successful Beijing Olympics.

Source: Xinhua