President Hu Jintao said in Stockholm Sunday that the legislatures between China and Sweden could promote multi-level and various kinds of exchanges to advancing bilateral ties.

Hu, who is on a state visit to Sweden, made the remarks when meeting with Per Westerberg, speaker of the Swedish Parliament.

After giving positive remarks to the growth of Sino-Swedish ties, Hu said inter-parliamentary exchanges play an important role in increasing mutual understanding and friendship and enhancing state-to-state relations.

China is ready to cooperate with Sweden in various fields for the sake of lasting friendship and partnership between the two peoples, he said.

Westerberg said that the Swedish parliament is keen to enhance exchanges with China and has formed a Swedish-Chinese friendship group inside the parliament.

Westerberg expressed the hope to increase mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and advance cooperation in economic and other areas.

Hu was the first Chinese head of state to visit Sweden since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 57 years ago.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2007)