China, Serbia pledge to strengthen parliamentary ties (2)

BEIJING, Aug. 26 -- China and Serbia on Monday pledged to strengthen ties between their two parliaments in a bid to provide a legal basis for the two countries' cooperation.

The pledge was made during a meeting between Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said China and Serbia have enjoyed a history of traditional friendship and deep political mutual trust.

Noting that the two sides have achieved concrete results in cooperation, Zhang said he believes Nikolic's visit will contribute to the further development of bilateral ties.

Zhang voiced hope to increase contacts between the two countries' parliaments and maintain communication between the two legislative bodies in order to exchange governance experiences and strengthen cooperation.

He also expected to fully develop the potential of the friendship groups of legislators of the two sides so as to provide a legal basis for the implementation of the two state leaders' agreements and China-Serbia cooperation.

Nikolic noted that Serbia and China are frank and supportive friends, saying his country attaches great importance to developing friendly ties with China, supports friendly exchanges between the two parliaments and is willing to advance further progress of cooperation in all fields.