BEIJING, Feb. 20 -- Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang met a delegation of lawmakers from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Beijing on Thursday.

The ROK delegation was led by Chung Mong-joon, a seven-term lawmaker and chairman of the world's biggest shipyard, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. He also heads the Korea-China legislators' association for foreign affairs.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the NPC and the ROK parliament have maintained close contact and fruitful cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic links in 1992.

Zhang said it was a major task for both the NPC and ROK National Assembly to continuously advance the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries.

He said the two sides should further deepen the traditional friendship, maintain frequent contact, consolidate public opinion for expanding bilateral ties and enhance mutual trust.

Zhang expressed hope that lawmakers of both countries could use their influence to make fresh contributions to the China-ROK friendship.

Chung and other members of the delegation said they were ready to play an even greater role in deepening bilateral cooperation in all areas.