NASSAU, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo has pledged to increase exchanges and cooperation with the Bahamian parliament.

Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, poses for a group photo with Lynn Holowesko (R), president of the Bahamian Senate, and Alvin Smith, speaker of the Bahamian House, before their talks in Nassau, the Bahamas, Sept. 4, 2009. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Photo Gallery>>>

    Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) -- China's top legislature, made the remarks during his talks here Friday with Lynn Holowesko, president of the Bahamian Senate and Alvin Smith, speaker of the Bahamian House.

    Both the Chinese leader and the Bahamian parliament leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, parliamentary cooperation and other issues of common concern.

Wu Bangguo (2nd R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, holds talks with Lynn Holowesko (4th L), president of the Bahamian Senate, and Alvin Smith (3rd L), speaker of the Bahamian House, in Nassau, the Bahamas, Sept. 4, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    The top Chinese legislator hailed the sound exchanges and cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, saying the NPC is ready to work with the Bahamian parliament to maintain the momentum of high-level visits and to increase exchanges among special committees, friendship groups and other institutions.

    Parliaments represent the will of the people, and the exchange and cooperation between parliaments will help boost mutual trust and cooperation in various fields, Wu said.

    He noted that his visit is aimed to promote the development of the relations between the two parliaments as well as the two nations.

    The NPC will further its ties with the Bahamian parliament, Wu told Holowesko, suggesting that both sides expand the scope of friendly exchanges among special parliamentary committees and friendship groups at various levels and in various fields.

    On bilateral relations, Wu praised the current strengthening of the China-Bahamas ties, saying substantial cooperation is the key concern of both nations.

    China and the Bahamas have become good and reliable friends thanks to the efforts of both sides. Both countries respect each other, engage in mutually-beneficial cooperation in economics and trade and closely coordinate with each other on international issues, Wu said.

    It has been proved that Sino-Bahamian friendship conforms to the fundamental interests of both nations and both peoples, Wu said.

    He added that under the current complicated international economic and political situation, the common interests of both nations have increased, and the necessity for both nations to carry out cooperation has grown, not the other way around.

    "China will make concerted efforts with the Bahamian side to well implement the contracted projects and raise bilateral cooperation to a higher level to bring more benefits to the two peoples," Wu said.

    Echoing Wu's views on inter-parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations, Holowesko expressed her appreciation of China's contribution to promoting the development of the Latin American and Caribbean countries, including the Bahamas.

    She said China is a sincere friend of the Bahamas and that it is a common aspiration of the ruling and opposition Bahamian political parties to strengthen ties with China.

    The Chinese visitor also briefed the Bahamian bicameral leaders about the measures China taken and the achievements it has scored in such fields as improving energy efficiency and using alternative energy.

    The two sides agreed to carry out cooperation on solar energy technology soon.

    Wu arrived in the Bahamas on Thursday after concluding his official visit to Cuba. He will visit the United States after the Bahamas.

Special Report: Top Legislator Wu Visits Cuba, the Bahamas, U.S.