China, ROK pledge closer legislative ties

Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang held talks with Chung Ui-hwa, speaker of the National Assembly for the Republic of Korea(ROK), on Wednesday to promote bilateral relations, particularly legislative ties.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, said China-ROK relations show a strong momentum of development, thanks to the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and ROK President Park Geun-hye.

The two presidents' announcement of the conclusion of substantive negotiations on a China-ROK free trade agreement (FTA) last month will be an important milestone for bilateral trade, their economies and overall relations, Zhang said. It will exert crucial influence on the two countries and the region

On legislative ties, Zhang reviewed the frequent exchanges between the NPC and the ROK National Assembly, saying the exchanges are in tune with the overall trend of bilateral ties and the public opinions and will play a positive role in boosting bilateral relations.

He called on the NPC and the ROK National Assembly to implement the consensus of the two presidents, expand practical cooperation and bring bilateral strategic partnership to a new high.

He proposed the two legislative bodies increase experience sharing on state governance, rule of law, economic development and improvement of livelihood.

He called on the two legislative bodies to support the early signing of the FTA, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the investors and students who study in each other's schools and offer a good legal environment for cooperation in all fields.

Zhang also called for the increasing role of legislative bodies as a platform to support regional and people-to-people exchanges and lay a solid social and public foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Chung Ui-hwa, who is on his first visit to China as the ROK's speaker, said growing ROK-China ties have benefited both countries and worked for regional stability and development.

The ROK National Assembly would like to increase all-level exchanges with the NPC and make bilateral cooperation more productive, Chung said.

Chung will conclude his five-day China tour on Sunday.