Top legislator Li Zhanshu holds talks with the parliamentary speaker of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Job Pomat via video link, Sept 24, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Top legislator Li Zhanshu on Friday held talks with the parliamentary speaker of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Job Pomat via video link.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said PNG is a good friend, brother and partner of China. In 2018 the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries opened a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations.

Li said since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have supported each other, further enriching their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides, Li said China stands ready to work with PNG to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, promote the development of bilateral relations, and enhance the benefits enjoyed by the two peoples.

He said the two countries should continue to strengthen mutual political support, advance anti-pandemic cooperation, promote practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination and adhere to true multilateralism.

Li stressed that the NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the PNG parliament to further consolidate the friendship between the two countries. He said it is hoped that the two sides will maintain high-level exchanges and promote in-depth communication through special committees, perform legislative functions to provide legal guarantees for the high-quality joint construction of Belt and Road projects, and enhance communication and cooperation in international and regional legislative organizations.

For his part, Pomat said PNG firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to further develop bilateral relations featuring mutual respect and mutual benefits. He said the PNG parliament stands ready to deepen friendly exchanges with the NPC and work together to promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.