Li said Sino-Cuban cooperation in various fields has become closer and deeper in recent years, noting that the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba have kept a long-term relationship of cooperation.

Exchanges between the two legislatures will help improve their work and contribute to democracy and the rule of law in the two countries. The exchanges will also help improve bilateral ties in general, he said.

He pledged that the NPC will continue to work for friendship and cooperation with the Cuban assembly.

Alarcon, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, echoed Li on the importance of cooperation between the two parliaments, saying frequent exchanges have demonstrated a closer friendship.

The Cuban assembly is ready to further deepen and strengthen its ties with the NPC, he said.

After the meeting, Li visited a genetic engineering and biotech center in Havana.

Earlier Tuesday, Li met Otto Rivero Torres, first secretary of the Cuban Communist Youth Union. He also visited Havana University later.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2003)