Chinese trade unions are ready to further expand cooperation and exchanges with their counterparts in Central Asian countries, said Wang Zhaoguo, Chinese trade union chief in Beijing Tuesday.

Wang, president of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, made the remarks during his meeting with Central Asian trade union leaders who are in Beijing to attend a trade unions seminar as guest of the federation.

Those attending the seminar here are trade union organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Wang, also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, praised the friendly cooperation between trade unions of China and Central Asian countries.

China is currently exploring its development path of trade unions in compliance with its specific national conditions and characteristics, Wang acknowledged.

Highlighting the globalization trend across the world, Wang said that Chinese trade unions will work closely with their counterparts in Central Asian nations to safeguard the world peace and protect the workers' rights and interests.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2005)