On the morning of May 21, 2006, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), who was on his official goodwill visit to Moldova, met with Moldavian President Vladimir Voronin in the Presidential Palace.

Voronin first extended his warm welcome for Chairman Wu's visit. He said that each visit by a leader has elevated bilateral relations to a new height. It is believed that Chairman Wu's current visit will surely further consolidate and develop bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation in all areas.

Wu first conveyed the cordial greetings from President Hu Jintao to President Voronin. Voronin expressed thanks for this and asked Wu to convey his best wishes for President Hu.

Wu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 14 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing steadily and soundly. The successful visit by then Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Moldova in 2001 and the one by President Voronin to China in 2003 had helped push the Sino-Moldavian ties to new highs. In recent years, bilateral political, economic, cultural and educational cooperation has been gradually deepened and both sides have maintained consultations and cooperation in international organizations and affairs. China respects the social system and development road chosen by Moldavian people according to their national conditions and supports Moldova to safeguard state independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Wu indicated that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Moldova and would like to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation, expand humanities exchanges and jointly push bilateral relations based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits for greater new development.

Voronin fully agreed with Wu's comments on bilateral relations. He said that the sound political relations between both sides should promote development of bilateral economic and trade relations and cooperation in the humanities area. To develop friendly ties with China is a consensus of the Moldavian government, parliament and parties and conforms to the fundamental interest of Moldavian people. He reaffirmed that Moldova adheres to the one-China principle and this position will not change. Moldova holds that there is only one China in the world.

In the afternoon, Chairman Wu met in the hotel where he stayed with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Moldova and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, Chinese students studying in Moldova and overseas Chinese living there. He also visited the National Museum of Natural History of Moldova.

In the evening, Chairman Wu and his wife Zhang Ruizhen were accompanied by President Voronin and his wife, Parliament Chairman Lupu and his wife, and Prime Minister Tarlev and his wife to watch the brilliant performance of the Moldavian National Song and Dance Ensemble and a sport dance troupe

Vice Chairman Raidi of the NPC Standing Committee and other Chinese companions attended these activities.