On the afternoon of March 30th, 2004, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo met in the Great Hall of the People with Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Qader Bajammal.

Wu Bangguo indicated that since China and Yemen established diplomatic relations 48 years ago, bilateral friendly relations of cooperation had been developing smoothly and productive cooperation in various fields had bloomed. The Chinese side thanked Yemen for its firm support to China on the Taiwan question and the issue of human rights, saying that to develop and deepen bilateral pragmatic and friendly cooperation in the new political and economic contexts of international situations complied with the fundamental interests of the two countries and would bring about tangible benefits for the two peoples.

Wu Bangguo noted that it had been an important part of bilateral relations for the legislative bodies in the two countries to conduct exchanges and cooperation, which would greatly help enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The NPC attached great importance to conducting friendly exchanges with the Yemeni Parliament and would like to push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral relations through the expansion of exchanges and cooperation in the legislative sphere.

Abdul Qader Bajammal expressed his satisfaction with the result of his visit to China, saying that despite the long distance dividing the two countries, the exchanges and friendship had already brought the two peoples closer. He said Yemen also attached great importance to developing pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields and he believed the two peoples would benefit from the further development of bilateral relations.

Wu Bangguo asked Mr. Bajammal to convey his cordial greetings to Sheikh Abdullah bin Hussein al-Ahmar, the Speaker of the Yemeni Parliament.