Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng meets with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

BEIJING -- Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng met with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in Beijing on Thursday.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, reviewed strengthening ties between China and Britain.

He highlighted close high-level exchanges, stronger collaboration in various fields and deeper understanding between the two peoples, saying stronger ties are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Chinese citizens' freedom of belief and the religious circle's legitimate rights and interests are protected by law, Yu told the British religious leader.

He hailed the good relations between Chinese and British Christianity , pledging that China will continue to support exchanges and cooperation between Chinese Christianity and other churches worldwide.

Welby, who is the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury to visit China, called for stronger cooperation between Chinese and British churches.

Welby, 59, is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England. He is visiting Beijing at the invitation of the State Administration for Religious Affairs and Christian associations in China.