Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with the U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2014. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING -- Top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Thursday met with the United States House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said during the meeting that China-U.S. relations are of great importance to the two countries' peoples as well as to world peace and development.

He called for joint efforts in building a new type of bilateral relations between the two major countries, as agreed by the two countries' leaders.

He noted that increased friendly contacts between the NPC and the U.S. Congress will help increase common ground, reduce misunderstanding, strengthen cooperation and handle differences.

He said that the two sides should play positive roles in advancing sustainable and healthy development of ties.

Cantor said the United States and China enjoy broad common interests and China's rapid growth benefits the two peoples.

He voiced hope that the U.S. House of Representatives can communicate more with the NPC and make more efforts for a stronger bilateral relationship.

Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with the U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2014. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)