Beijing, (NNN-XINHUA) : China and Uruguay have pledged to boost economic and political cooperation via parliamentary exchanges.

The pledge came as top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang held talks with Gerardo Amarilla, president of Chamber of Representatives of Uruguay’s National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing Monday.

Hailing the development of bilateral ties over the past 29 years, Zhang, who is Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), said China’s NPC attached great importance to the co-operation with the South American country’s National Congress.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez agreed in October last year to establish a strategic partnership based on respect, equality and mutual benefit during Vazquez’s State visit to China.

Zhang said the fact that the delegation included two presidents-designate of the Chamber of Representatives showed “the high consensus and willingness among different political parties of Uruguay to develop relations with China”.

Zhang called on both sides to take the talks here Monday as a new starting point to further promote bilateral exchanges. He suggested the two sides treat each other sincerely and increase mutual understanding of each other’s development paths, major concerns and core interests.

Both sides needed to speed up the approval process of bilateral deals, support the signing of free trade agreement and create sound environment for conducting cooperation on financing and major projects, he added.

He also encouraged the two countries to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and sharing experiences on state governance.

Amarilla said Uruguay valued the relations with China and had always adhered to the one-China policy. Uruguay expects to become an important pivot of China’s Belt and Road construction and conduct complementary co-operation, he added.

The national congress is willing to expand exchanges with China’s NPC so as to enrich the content of the bilateral strategic partnership, he said.

Also on Monday, Yu Zhengsheng, top Chinese political adviser, met with Amarilla. Yu, the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), appreciated the understanding and support that Uruguay has always given to China on issues that matters China’s core interests, including the Taiwan issue, and Tibet-related issues and Xinjiang-related issues.

Amarilla arrived in Beijing on Sunday to start a week-long visit at the invitation of Zhang.