Top Chinese legislator meets Irish president

Zhang Dejiang(R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the China's National People's Congress, meets with Irish President Michael D. Higgins at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 10, 2014. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Dec. 10 -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang met with the visiting Irish President Michael D. Higgins in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), reviewed the steady growth of bilateral cooperation in all sectors since the two countries forged a mutually-beneficial strategic partnership in 2012.

Zhang called on the legislative bodies of the two countries to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Higgins.

Xi and Higgins have agreed on building a closer China-Ireland mutually-beneficial strategic partnership and witnessed the signing of cooperative deals covering science, technology, culture and education.

Zhang proposed the legislative bodies of the two countries increase exchanges, enhance understanding, expand consensus, share experience on legislation and state governance so as to offer a legal guarantee for practical cooperation in all sectors and lay a solid foundation for people-to-people exchanges.

Higgins said Ireland expects to work more closely with China in all sectors and deepen bilateral friendship.

Higgins will also visit Shanghai and Zhangjiang Province in eastern China.