On November 26, 2012, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, met with Mathurin Nago, speaker of Benin's National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People.

Wu said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He reviewed the smooth growth of China-Benin relations over the past four decades, citing close political interactions, remarkable economic cooperation and robust people-to-people exchanges. During his visit to China in July this year, President Yayi held fruitful talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, pointing out the direction for development of bilateral ties. Benin firmly pursues the one-China policy and offers China precious support on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and other major issues, for which China is deeply grateful. China would like to work with Benin to carry out the agreements reached by the two countries' presidents so that the outcomes of China-Benin friendly cooperative ties will bring more benefits to the two peoples, Wu said.

Wu made positive comments on the relations between China's NPC and Benin's National Assembly, expressing hope that both sides will give play to the unique role of parliamentary exchanges and enhance exchanges on state governance and constructing democracy and law in a bid to inject vitality into China-Benin ties.

On China-Africa relations, Wu said China is the biggest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. It is China's long-term and firm strategic choice to develop friendly relations with Africa. China will, as always, support developing countries' solidarity and coordination and safeguard their justified rights, according to Wu. He underscored China's commitment to new strategic partnership with Africa, featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic cooperation and common prosperity and cultural exchanges to achieve common development.

Wu also briefed on the just concluded 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Nago congratulated on the successful conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the CPC. He said Benin admires China's enormous achievements in reform and opening up and China has proven with facts that it has taken a right path of development. As a big power with a special status and great influence in the world, China firmly safeguards the interests of developing countries. Benin regards China as a reliable friend and an example. He said his country would like to work more closely with China to advance pragmatic cooperation in all fields and increase communication on international issues in a bid to promote Africa-China friendship and build a fair and just international order. Benin's National Assembly is ready to do more work to this end. The speaker also reaffirmed that Benin would stick to the one-China policy.