BEIJING -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguohas pledged to further advance parliamentarian exchanges and substantial cooperation with Tonga.
He made the comments during a meeting with Lord Fakafanua, speaker of the Tongan Parliament, in Beijing on Monday.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said China-Tonga relations have maintained good momentum of development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1998.
China appreciates the adherence of the one-China policy by the Royal Family, the government and the parliament of Tonga, said Wu.
China is ready to enhance substantial cooperation in fields such as agriculture, fishery and tourism, said Wu.
He added that China will continue to provide assistance to Tonga within the realm of its capabilities under the framework of South-South cooperation.
The top legislator also spoke highly of the parliamentarian exchanges between the two countries.
He said China's NPC is willing to conduct multi-level exchanges and cooperation with the Tongan Parliament in order to make parliamentarian ties as a constructive force for sound and stable development of China-Tonga relations.
Fakafanua said the current visit deepened his understanding of China, the Communist Party of China and the NPC. He said it made him fully recognize that China's characteristic political system ensured the country's prosperity and stability.
Fakafanua said that Tonga admired China's achievements, and appreciated that the country viewed Pacific island nation as an equal member of the international community and provided it with long-term assistance.
Stressing that Tonga will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, he said the parliament was willing to strengthen exchange of visits with China's NPC.
