China's National People's Congress attaches importance to the relations with the Venezuelan congress and will promote exchanges at all levels, said Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator, in Beijing Thursday, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

"We should further relations between the two countries through the Sino-Venezuelan friendship subcommittee under the NPC," said Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee when meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

Wu said Sino-Venezuelan relations have developed rapidly, and bilateral economic and trade cooperation is complementary and has great potential for further development. The two countries have cooperated well in international affairs, he said.

This is Chavez's third state visit to China, and also on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Sino-Venezuelan diplomatic relations. Wu said he believed the visit would push forward the strategic partnership of common progress between the two countries.

Wu expressed gratitude for the adherence of Venezuela to the one-China policy.

Chavez said he hoped to exchange views with the Chinese leaders through the visit to further bilateral relations. He also said the Venezuelan parliament will establish a friendship organization to promote exchanges with the NPC.

He reaffirmed that Venezuela will adhere to the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2004)