BAKU -- The cooperation between Chinese and Azerbaijani legislatures helps boost the two countries' ties, a deputy of Azerbaijan's National Assembly has said.

"Parliamentarians of our countries have paid numerous reciprocal visits, during which they conduct an exchange of views and experience," Aydin Mirzazade told Xinhua on the eve of a planned visit to Baku by Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress.

The contacts between legislators of the two countries have contributed to the "overall strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries," he said.

Mirzazade said there is an Azerbaijan-China inter-parliamentary friendship group comprising "true friends of China" at the Azerbaijani Parliament, adding that he hopes the two sides will witness greater progress in bilateral ties with deeper exchanges and cooperation.

The China-Azerbaijan relations were based on the principles of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

The two countries support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other, and share a common stance in safeguarding world peace, stability and promoting common development, he added.

Mirzazade said the Azerbaijani government fully supports China's Belt and Road Initiative.

"This initiative meets the interests of many countries, including Azerbaijan. It encourages the countries located along this strategic route to combine strengths, create millions of new jobs, and eliminate the threats of wars and conflicts," he said.