On September 7, 2005, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo, who was in New York to attend the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, met in the hotel where he stayed with ROK National Assembly Speaker Kim One-ki and Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Jassem Mohammed Al-Khorafi respectively.

When meeting with Kim One-ki, Wu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the ROK, the bilateral relations have been developing very well and in particularly since the establishment of comprehensive cooperative partnership, the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and culture have become closer. Both sides are neighbors close to each other and share the same or similar views in the international and regional affairs and broad common interest as well. In the new international situation, to further develop the bilateral relations conforms to the interest of the two countries and their people and is conducive to the world and regional peace and development. Wu noted that the parliamentary relations are an important part of the state-to-state relations. To further deepen the relations between the NPC of China and the ROK National Assembly, elevate the cooperation level, establish the regular exchange mechanism between both sides and frequently exchange views on the issues of common interest is of great significance to enhancing understanding, broadening consensuses and promoting the all-round development of the state-to-state relations.

Kim One-ki fully agreed with Chairman Wu's comments on the bilateral relations. He said that to develop ROK-China relations is the consensus shared by the people of various circles either in or out of the ROK government and enjoys a broad basis of popular opinion. The ROK attaches great importance to the relations with China. The ROK National Assembly would like to further deepen its relations with the NPC of China, agrees with Chairman Wu's proposals on establishing the regular exchange mechanism between both sides and hopes to step up efforts to implement the specific matters concerned and launch the mechanism at the earliest date possible.

When meeting with Al-Khorafi, Wu said that the bilateral relations enjoy a sound political basis and Kuwait is the first Gulf country that established diplomatic ties with China and the Arab nation that has offered the most government concessional loans to China to this day. China thanks Kuwait for precious support on Taiwan, human rights and other questions and at the same time respects Kuwait's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. China has always respected the diversity of world civilizations, insisted the democracy of international relations and committed itself to the lofty cause of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Al-Khorafi made positive remarks on China's position and role in the international and regional affairs. He said that the Kuwaiti people have always held friendly feelings with the Chinese people and the Kuwaiti government and National Assembly give top priority to developing relations with China and deem China a reliable friend. Under the complex international situation today, it is hoped that China will play a bigger role in the UN and other international and regional organizations.

Both sides held that to develop the exchanges and cooperation between the NPC of China and the National Assembly of Kuwait conforms to the common interest of both countries. Both sides would like to maintain the sound momentum of high-level exchanges, push for the exchanges and cooperation between special committees, groups of friendship and working bodies of the two countries and strengthen consultation and coordination in the international and regional parliamentary organizations in a bid to inject new vitality into the development of state-to-state relations.

Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of NPC Standing Committee Sheng Huaren and other officials attended the meetings.