China and Sri Lanka pledged in Beijing yesterday to enhance parliamentary exchanges during a meeting between top legislator Wu Bangguo and Sri Lankan President Bandaranalke Kumaratunga.

Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said the NPC would like to promote exchanges with the Sri Lankan parliament to improve understanding between the two peoples and to contribute to bilateral relations.

Wu said China and Sri Lanka have enjoyed long-term friendship, and bilateral ties have developed rapidly and cooperation in all fields has been fruitful. The two countries have also maintained coordination in the international arena, he added.

Kumaratunga said her China visit ended with the signing of various cooperative documents that are important to Sri Lanka's economic development. The Sri Lankan government will make joint efforts with China to realize the agreements made in the documents to benefit the two peoples.

She also said Sri Lanka supports the parliaments of the two countries to enhance cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2005)