China's National People's Congress is ready to strengthen friendly relations with the Bahamas' parliament, said Chinese top legislator in Beijing Tuesday.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, told visiting Bahaman Prime Minister Perry Christie that his China tour is a big event in the history of Sino-Bahamas relations and will advance bilateral ties.

He said that China has advocated the democratization of international relations, and has held that all nations, big or small, are equal in the international community.

He noted that China would like to promote high-level exchanges of visits and enhance economic and trade cooperation so as to further relations with the Bahamas.

Christie is visiting China for the first time. He said that China's splendid culture and rapid economic growth impress him.

He said that there is great potential for economic and trade cooperation between the Bahamas and China, and the Bahamas will enhance the friendly relations with China in all fields.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2004)