China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang called for closer parliamentary exchanges and anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan on Thursday.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks in his talks with Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over bilateral parliamentary exchanges. They discussed ways and means to keep up the momentum of bilateral relations through increasing interaction of parliamentarians as well as through promoting trade, educational, cultural and investment links.

They also agreed to step up bilateral cooperation in fighting against terrorism, to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and security.

Zhang called on Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese organizations and people in the country, in a bid to ensure safe environment for cooperation.

Hailing the fruitful cooperation between the two strategic partners in recent years, Zhang said the construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor is a key to cement cooperation, as well as an important part of China's initiatives of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

"China treasures its traditional friendship with Pakistan, and always considers the ties as an priority of the country's foreign policy," he said.

China sticks to a policy of equality and mutual benefit in boosting cooperation with Pakistan, and encourages Chinese companies to positively participate in Pakistan's energy and infrastructure projects, Zhang said.

He urged closer exchanges between the NPC and Pakistan's National Assembly, and suggested they formulate and improve bilateral legal documents in a timely manner, to offer legal guarantee for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Zhang also proposed to closer cooperation in such areas as education, culture, youth and tourism, as well as stronger dialogue on regional and global issues.

Sadiq said that parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and China have helped both countries share each other’s best practices and develop better mutual understanding. He apprised the NPC Chairman about legislature in Pakistan and evinced keen interest in the Chinese legislative body’s mechanism and to learn from the China’s success story.

Applauding China's efforts in combating terrorism, he said Pakistan's National Assembly is ready to beef up exchanges with the NPC and facilitate new progress of bilateral cooperation in various areas.

The Pakistani delegation has visited Shanghai and is now in Beijing on the last leg of their weeklong tour of China from Jan. 25 to 30, having met the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress Yin Yicui on Monday in Shanghai where they also discussed prospects of Chinese investments while visiting various Chinese enterprises.

Earlier in the morning Sadiq visited the International Economic Exchange Centre, a leading Chinese think tank on economy. He received extensive briefing on the policy frame work of Chinese economy and the vision of Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. He also discussed the progress made on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The meeting took place in an increasingly cordial atmosphere where other members of parliament also shared their view points.

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