Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met a delegation of 25 US congressmen Thursday, saying that their two countries had much more uniting them than separating them, adding that differences of opinion on some issues are to be expected due to contrasting historical and cultural backgrounds.

 

Bilateral cooperation in various fields "had seen substantial benefits come to both countries and their peoples," Wu insisted.

 

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks in his meeting with a delegation of 25 US parliamentary members, saying that different views on some issues "are normal" due to different historical and cultural backgrounds.

 

"What's most important is that we have much more in common than what separates us, and we have established mechanisms to address our differences," Wu said.

 

Wu praised the recent development of the China-US relations in recent years, with frequent high-level contacts, greater trust and closer coordination on international issues had built a more solid foundation to be built for future cooperation.

 

"The growth of bilateral ties should not be undermined by differences on some specific issues," Wu said.

 

Regarding parliamentary exchanges, Wu spoke on the exchange mechanisms existing between the NPC and both parts of the US Congress, adding that these had contributed to the steady development of Sino-American relations.

 

"We are especially pleased to see that voices calling for dialogue and cooperation with China are growing stronger in the US Congress," Wu said.

 

Twenty-five Congressmen from the Judiciary Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives and the Aspen Institute met with Wu, with all stating their respect for China's achievements and their hope of seeing China and the US promote their common interests.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2007)