BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo met here Monday with Speaker Luka Bebic of the Croatian Assembly, vowing to facilitate closer parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between both countries.

    "China highly values its relations with Crotia, and regards the country as a reliable good friend and partner in southeast Europe," Wu told Bebic in Beijing. He vowed joint efforts with the country to cement bilateral exchanges in all fields to build better future for both sides.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), hailed the progress of bilateral ties since the forging of diplomatic ties 17 years ago, citing frequent high-level visits, remarkable trade cooperation and increasing exchanges in cultural, technological and educational areas.

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, meets with Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 17, 2009.

    "The parliamentary cooperation between both sides had contributed to the development of an all-round cooperative partnership," Wu said, adding the Chinese NPC is ready to deepen exchanges between special committees and working groups of the two parliaments.

    In response, Bebic told Wu the Croatian Assembly would like to cooperate closely with the Chinese NPC for greater progress of bilateral all-round cooperative partnership. He expected closer cooperation with China in the areas of trade, tourism and infrastructure construction.

    Calling China a great friend of Croatia, Bebic said his country believed China had made great contribution to world peace and development by dealing with the global economic downturn in an active way, and maintaining relatively fast economic growth.

    At Wu's invitation, Bebic arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a week-long tour to China.