Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee will attend the fourth annual session of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) in Manila, and visit the Philippines, Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan.

Wu will make the three-nation tour as guest of the Philippines' House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Venecia and Senate President Franklin Drilon, National Assembly of Republic of Korea Speaker Park Kwan-yong, and Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki and House of Councilors President Hiroyuki Kurata.

It will be the first tour of new Chinese leadership to these three countries and the maiden foreign visit of the new NPC Standing Committee chairman.

During the visit, Wu will hold talks and meet with leaders of the three nations and have wide contacts with people from all walks of life for exchanging views on bilateral ties and regional and global issues of common concern.

The visit is believed to be of great importance to further promotion of exchanges between NPC and foreign parliaments and strengthening of the friendly, cooperative relations between China and relevant countries.

As current president of AAPP, Wu will preside over the AAPP Executive Council meeting and the plenary meeting, while making a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

He will also meet with parliament leaders of AAPP members.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2003)