Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) met in Beijing Friday with Wolfgang Thierse, president of Germany's Federal Assembly.  

The two praised the close relations between China and Germany and agreed to further improve exchanges between the two parliaments.

Thierse is the first German Federal Assembly president visiting China. He and his delegation arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening after visiting Shanghai and the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China.

On Wednesday, Thierse met with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo. They signed a joint statement on formally setting up an exchange mechanism between parliaments of the two countries. 

Thierse is also scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao Saturday before concluding his nine-day visit on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2005)