MALE - Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo left here on Monday for home, wrapping up his 12-day Asian-African trip which has also taken him to Namibia, Angola and South Africa.  

During his stay here, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, met with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid here on Sunday, calling for closer cooperation between the two parliaments in an aim to push forward the bilateral relations.

Wu underlined the development of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 39 years ago, which have yielded substantial benefits for the two peoples.

He said China-Maldives relationship has become a model for the ties between big and small nations, noting that China would always foster its friendship with the neighboring countries and highly value ties with the Maldives.

On the upcoming 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and the Maldives next year, Wu expressed his hope that the two countries could take the opportunity to further cement cooperation to score new achievements in the bilateral relations.

On the inter-parliamentary cooperation, Wu suggested the two legislatures promote dialogue and exchanges of views among members on successful experiences of national construction so as to inject new vitality into the development of bilateral relations.

Echoing Wu's views, Shahid, speaker of the Maldivian People's Majlis, extended his warm welcome to Wu, the first Chinese top legislator to visit the island country.

Shahid said the Maldivian people treasured the friendship of the Chinese people, and the rapid growth of the Chinese economy offered inspiration and successful experience to developing countries, including the Maldives.

Maldivian People's Majlis is committed to step up its relations with the NPC to enhance the cooperation between the two nations, Shahid said, reiterating that the Maldives would unswervingly uphold the one-China policy.

The two parliamentary leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, and both pledged to cement coordination in a bid to better safeguard the common interests of the developing countries.

Wu arrived in the island country on Saturday at the invitation of Shahid.