BEIJING, Oct 16 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday met Chairman of the National Peoples Congress Wu Bannguo, country’s top legislator, and vowed to explore new areas of cooperation while expanding interaction in the existing fields. The President called on Wu Bangguo here at the Great Hall of the People on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and said he was here to take forward the legacy of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who along with Premier Zhou Enlai laid the foundation of great Pak-China friendship.

He said the deep ties between the two countries got further strengthened while Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was in power and hoped to further expand these into more areas with his visit. “We take pride in success of China,” President Zardari said and said Pakistan can learn a great deal from China’s progress.

The two leaders also discussed the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and hoped it will further invigorate their ties.

The Chairman NPC Wu called for exploring new approaches to cooperation between the two counties and enhancing exchanges and cooperation between industrial and business communities.

The two leaders spoke of the comprehensive bilateral cooperation on politics trade, science and technology and culture, and agreed that it has injected a new vigour into China-Pakistan relations.

He said China treasures its friendship with Pakistan and attaches great importance to ties with Pakistan.

President Zardari said China would like to work with Pakistan to step up bilateral relations to new heights.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) is considered the highest organ of state power of the People’s Republic of China and its main functions include formulation of laws, election of politicians and policy formulation.

Earlier Chairman Wu Bannguo warmly received President Zardari on his arrival. The congress has its seat in the Great Hall and represents China’s 30 provinces, autonomous regions, directly administered cities and the military.

The Pakistani delegation included Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Environment Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik, Media Advisor to President Farhatullah Babar, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tareen, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan.