Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, shakes hands with Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2006.(Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said here on Wednesday that the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, will enhance exchange and cooperation with its Vietnamese counterpart.

    Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

    The NPC will increase exchanges with the Vietnamese National Assembly on state governance, democracy and legislation activity. It will also enhance cooperation in international and regional inter-parliament organizations, he noted.

    Wu, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, hailed China-Vietnam friendship and the relations between the two parties, which were forged by late leaders such as Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh.

    He asked the two sides to cherish traditional friendship, strengthen mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development.

    He also spoke highly of the talks between Manh and his Chinese counterpart and President Hu Jintao.

    Manh hailed the relations between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the NPC, saying he himself had visited China as chairman of the National Assembly.

    He said parliamentary exchange is an important channel for increasing understanding and deepening cooperation. Vietnam will share with China experiences in democracy and legislative activity.

    Manh, who is here for a five-day official good-will visit as guest of Hu, vowed to boost Vietnam-China relations. Enditem