China and Benin have maintained close coordination on international affairs and shown support and understanding to the other on key issues, China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said Friday.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark when meeting with President Antoine Idji Kolawole of the National Assembly of Benin.

Wu said China and Benin are both developing countries that face the common task of development. He said since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago, China and Benin have kept political trust and continuously expanded trade and economic cooperation.

Wu said China appreciates the government and parliament of Benin for their long-term adherence to the "one-China" policy.

Wu said China is ready to join hands with Benin to push forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations so as to bring benefits to the two peoples.

Wu said as major players in both countries' political life, the Chinese NPC and Benin National Assembly have a great deal to do to deepen the friendship between the two peoples and promote bilateral relations.

Wu said the NPC is planning to increase exchanges with the National Assembly of Benin at all levels, including exchanges between parliamentary leaders, special committees, friendship groups and operational institutions.

He said the two parliaments can carry out exchanges in such areas as legislative supervision and cooperation in regional and international parliamentary organizations.

Idji fully agreed with Wu's view on bilateral relations and parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. He said the people of both countries share deep-rooted friendship and the common aspiration of further enhancing bilateral relations.

He said Benin is ready to reinforce and step up cooperation with China on all fronts, especially exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries.

After their meeting, Wu and Idji signed an agreement on exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

Idji said the signing of the agreement will give impetus to the friendly exchanges between the two parliaments.

Idji led a delegation of the Benin parliament to China starting from May 29. Besides Beijing, they also visited Shanghai and Hangzhou, a scenic city in east China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2005)