A senior legislator said on Thursday that the National People's Congress, the top legislature, would like to further its relationship with the Federal Council of the German parliament.

Wu Bangguo told visiting Mattias Platzeck, the council's president, that China and Germany have enjoyed a sound relationship, and that the two countries have similar views on major international issues.

"The development of Sino-German relations benefits the peoples of both countries," he said.

He said China and Germany are economically complementary and have great potential for trade cooperation, and that they should enhance cooperation in energy resources and environmental protection.

Wu also expressed appreciation for Germany's adherence of the one-China policy.

Platzeck, also governor of the state of Brandenburg, said that relations have entered a new stage, and he is visiting China to promote cooperation between the parliamentary organs as well as exchanges between local provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2005)