China's top legislator meets Micronesian, Kazakh officials

China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Monday held separate meetings with Wesley Simina, speaker of Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, and Gulmira Issimbayeva, vice speaker of the Majilis, the lower house of the Kazakh parliament.

China's top legislator Li Zhanshu meets with Wesley Simina, speaker of Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, in Beijing on Monday, April 23, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said China appreciates Micronesia's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

All countries are equal members in international community, Li said, noting that the big, strong, and rich should not bully the small, weak, and poor.

Li called on the two sides to implement the consensus reached by two heads of state and promote the strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.

Li called for more pragmatic cooperation between the countries, including building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and he said China's NPC is willing to enhance legislative exchanges and share experience in governance with Micronesia.

Simina said Micronesia attaches importance to its relationship with China and adheres to the one-China principle, and he said Micronesia supports the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to boost parliamentary exchanges.

Li Zhanshu (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Gulmira Issimbayeva, vice speaker of the Majilis, the lower house of the Kazakh parliament, in Beijing, capital of China, April 23, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

Kazakhstan is the first country on the Silk Road Economic Belt that extends westward from China, Li said.

Li said the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has brought new opportunities for more pragmatic cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.

The NPC is willing to work with the Kazakh parliament to strengthen exchanges and promote the implementation of the consensus reached by two heads of state, Li said.

Li called on the two sides to provide legal support for construction under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as building a community with a shared future between the two countries.

Issimbayeva said the Kazakh parliament is willing to have more exchanges with the NPC and supports the synergy of development strategies between the two countries.