Chinese senior legislator Wang Zhaoguo on Monday called for more exchanges and cooperation between the youth of China and Pakistan.

Wang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the remarks during his meeting with a Pakistani youth delegation headed by Minister for Youth Affairs Shahid Hussain Bhutto.

The 105-member delegation included government officials, university students, entrepreneurs, artists and athletes.

Wang said the two countries enjoyed unwavering strategic cooperation in all areas. History has proven that the Sino-Pakistani friendship was in line with the interests of both nations and helped regional and world peace.

He hoped the youth of both countries would expand exchanges and increase mutual trust and friendship.

Bhutto said the delegation would bring back the Chinese people's friendship, and make contribution to promoting the friendly relations between the youth of two countries.

In addition to Beijing, the youth delegation visited northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province in an effort to deepen exchanges with Chinese youths.

Chinese President Hu Jintao invited 500 young people from Pakistan to visit China within five years when he paid a state visit to Pakistan in November 2006. The program was launched in 2007.

Beijing was the last stop for the delegation. They arrived in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 19.

The nine-day visit took place at the invitation of the All-China Youth Federation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2009)