China on Friday voiced its commitment to stepping up economic cooperation with the Bahamas, offering a four-point proposal for that end.
The call was made by visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo during his talks with Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
Wu said China attaches great importance to the relations with the Bahamas and considers the country an important partner in the Caribbean region.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, China's top legislature, proposed that the two nations maintain high-level official visits and expand exchange and cooperation between the two governments, parliaments and among various political parties.
He called on both sides to boost their economic and trade cooperation, especially in such fields as trade, tourism, infrastructure construction and agriculture.
He also suggested the two sides intensify their exchange and cooperation in humanitarian fields in an effort to foster mutual understanding and friendship, adding the two could better coordinate in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization on some major international and regional issues.
Ingraham expressed his appreciation of Wu's proposal to improve bilateral cooperation, noting the Bahamian government would adhere to its China policy, and create more favorable conditions for Chinese enterprises to invest and establish their businesses in the Caribbean country.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the global financial crisis, climate change and other important issues of common concern.
They witnessed a signing ceremony for five bilateral economic and technological agreements after the talks.
Prior to his talks with Ingraham, Wu also met Governor-General of Bahamas Arthur D. Hanna on bilateral relations and reached significant consensus.
Wu told Hanna China feels satisfied with the current growth of its ties with the Bahamas and the development of the bilateral relationship would serve the fundamental interests of the two nations and the two peoples.
China is committed to working with the Bahamian side to promote the Sino-Bahamian friendly and cooperative ties to a higher level, Wu noted.
Sharing Wu's views, Hanna said China is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage and offering significant contribution to world peace and stability. He said the Bahamas would unswervingly stick to the one-China policy and backs China's efforts to achieve peaceful reunification.
As a guest of the Bahamian government and Lynn Holowesko, president of Bahamian Senate and Alvin Smith, speaker of the House, Wu arrived here on Thursday after he concluded a visit to Cuba.
After the Bahamas, he will also visit the United States.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2009)
