China and Brazil on Wednesday pledged to promote their strategic partnership during a meeting between Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

 

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), told Lula that China is ready to work together with Brazil to improve their partnership.

 

"My visit is aimed at further promoting Sino-Brazilian ties," Wu said, adding that China has always attached great importance to developing the relationship with Brazil, and regards Brazil as a partner and friend.

 

Wu, who arrived in Brasilia on Tuesday, said that together Aldo Rebelo, president of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, he had signed a memorandum of understanding on the setting up a regular exchange mechanism between the two countries, which symbolizes a new phase of substantial cooperation between the two parliaments.

 

Further agreements on Sino-Brazilian economic and trade cooperation will be signed to push forward the strategic partnership, Wu said.

 

As the largest countries in the eastern and western hemispheres respectively, China and Brazil have common interests in international affairs, and hold the same or similar views on major international and regional issues, he said.

 

Strengthening Sino-Brazilian ties not only conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries, but is also conducive to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

 

To enhance the solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, including Latin America nations, is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy, he said.

 

Brazil, a country wielding significant influence in Latin America, plays an important role in the development of Sino-Latin American relations, Wu added.

 

Lula pledged to spare no effort to strengthen the strategic partnership with China.

 

The two countries have maintained good cooperation not only in economy and trade, but also in multilateral fields, he said.

 

"As early as in 2004 when Brazil recognized China's market economy status, I had made it clear that I hope the two countries become cooperative partners in the World Trade Organization," he said.

 

The Brazil-China cooperation based on mutual benefit should set a good example for other developing countries, Lula said.

 

He spoke highly of the six agreements on economic and trade cooperation that are ready for endorsement during Wu's visit, saying the documents will help reinforce the strategic partnership between Brazil and China.

 

Lula also praised the establishment of a regular exchange mechanism between China's NPC and Brazil's Chamber of Deputies.

 

The Brazilian government will encourage more MPs to visit China so that they can contribute more to the further development of the bilateral relationship, Lula added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2006)