German Federal Assembly President Wolfgang Thierse will head a parliamentary delegation for an official goodwill visit to China from April 23 to May 1.

This is the first official visit to China by a president of the German Federal Assembly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972.

According to sources with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, the delegation will be here as guests of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the standing committee.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2005)