China and Colombia vowed on Friday to step up the parliamentary cooperation to boost bilateral relations.

Relations between the two parliaments are important components of bilateral relations, Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said in his meeting with visiting President of Colombian Congress Hernan Andrade Serrano.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, is ready to work with its Colombian counterpart, to maintain the momentum of high-level contacts, intensify exchanges and cooperation between their special committees and administrative organizations, and draw on from each other on governing countries as well as improving democracy and the legal system, said Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

China attaches great importance to developing relationship with Colombia, and will push forward practical cooperation with Colombia, he said.

Hailing the achievements made in bilateral relations since they forged diplomatic ties in 1980, Wu said the development in their political relations plays an important role in upgrading their relationship of trade and economy.

As it always did, China encourages and supports qualified Chinese enterprises to invest in Colombia, and also welcomes Colombian enterprises to explore market in China, said Wu.

Echoing Wu's views, Andrade said he was surprised and admired to witness the achievement of China's economic and social development.

Andrade said various Colombian political parties and leaders of the country's parliament share the common aspiration of promoting their ties with China and Colombia welcomes Chinese companies to further their investment there.

The Congress of Colombia will continue to step up bilateral cooperation in various fields, Andrade said, promising that the country would adhere to the one-China policy.

Andrade also met with Uyunqimg, vice Chairwoman of the NPC Standing Committee, on the same day.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)