Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), holds talks with Chile's Senate President Frei in Valparaíso

On the afternoon of September 6, 2006, local time, Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), who is in Chile for an official goodwill visit, held talks with Chile's Senate President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle in the National Congress building in the city of Valparaíso. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties, parliamentary exchanges and other major issues of common interest in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and reached broad consensus.

Frei said that he himself and the Senate have expected Wu's visit. This was the first visit to Chile by a China's top legislator and was seen as historic, marking a new stage in the relations between the two countries and their legislatures, Frei said.

For his part, Wu expressed his appreciation of Frei's efforts for years in promoting Sino-Chile relationship. Despite great changes in the international situation and their national conditions, the relations between the two countries have enjoyed smooth development since they established diplomatic ties 36 years ago, Wu said. Chinese President Hu Jintao's successful visit to Chile in 2004 opened a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries and the rapid development of pragmatic cooperation in such fields as economy and trade has vigorously promoted economic development in both countries and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added.

He also said China attaches great importance to developing relations with Chile and views the country as a good friend and partner. The purpose of his visit is to strengthen parliamentary exchanges, push forward bilateral economic and trade cooperation and promote the all-round partnership of cooperation between China and Chile, he said.

The two sides spoke highly of the approval and implementation of the free trade agreement between the two countries, holding that this is a great event in the history of bilateral ties and it will benefit commodity trade, promote development of related industries and expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Wu reviewed the important role of parliamentary exchanges in developing state-to-state relations. He said China's NPC is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges with Chile's Senate, enhance cooperation between special panels, friendship groups and working bodies of the two legislatures and strengthen consultation and cooperation between both sides in international and regional parliamentary organizations in a bid to make greater contributions to bilateral ties.

China's NPC and Chile's National Congress signed an agreement on setting up their political dialogue mechanism in February. The two leaders stressed the establishment of the political dialogue mechanism between the two countries' legislative bodies is an important move in deepening their exchanges, for it builds a new platform for such exchanges. The two sides agreed to hold the first session of the political dialogue committee during Wu's visit.

Frei said the Chilean people hold profound feelings towards the Chinese people. He noted Chile's Senate attaches great importance to developing relations with China's NPC, saying Chile's government and people have a common understanding in developing relations with China. Chile is willing to further expand exchanges and cooperation with China to push the all-round partnership of cooperation to a new high, Frei said.

Following the talks, Frei, on behalf of Chile's Senate, awarded a Medal of the Senate to Wu Bangguo.