BEIJING, Feb. 19 -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Wednesday met with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, pledging to strengthen friendly engagement between the two countries' legislative bodies.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), commended the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, adding that the two sides need to cherish and develop it.

He said the two sides need to enrich their strategic cooperative partnership and upgrade bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

He noted that the NPC has always underscored friendly cooperation with the Pakistani senate and national assembly and is willing to further strengthen engagement at all levels.

Hussain said Pakistan is ready to enhance communication with China's legislative body and promote bilateral cooperation.