Chinese Top legislator meets Missouri delegation

Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, poses with members of a delegation from Missouri State of the United States, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2008.

    BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) --- China and the United States should increase dialogue and cooperation and properly solve disputes and sensitive issues, said top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Thursday.

    Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with a delegation from the U.S. state of Missouri, consisting of members of Congress, local government officials and business people.

    Wu said China-U.S. relations had seen constant growth since diplomatic ties were established 30 years ago.

    The two nations had constantly enriched their constructive and cooperative relations with frequent high level visits, fruitful cooperation in economy, trade, anti-terrorism, environmental protection, and law enforcement areas, and close coordination on major international and regional issues.

    The NPC and the U.S. legislature had established a regular exchange mechanism and contacts were fruitful, Wu said.

    Wu hoped all members of the delegation would make efforts to encourage the U.S. Congress, local governments and all circles of society to support the development of China-U.S. relations.

    U.S. Senators Christopher Bond and Claire McCaskill, also heads of the delegation, said all the delegation members had a strong desire to expand exchanges and increase pragmatic cooperation with China in economy, trade, culture and education.

    Missouri would play its role as a pioneer in pushing for U.S.-China relations, they said.

    Former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing attended the meeting as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC. The 36-member delegation is in China from March 25 to 28 at the invitation of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee.