Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), holds talks with Canadian Speaker of the Senate George Furey in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING -- Top legislator Zhang Dejiang held talks with Canadian Speaker of the Senate George Furey Monday, pledging to further strengthen parliamentary exchanges with Canada.

Zhang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, welcomed Furey's visit in the wake of the New Year's holiday, saying he hopes the visit will be a good beginning for the development of China-Canada relations and the cooperation between the two parliaments.

Hailing the bilateral relationship since the two countries began forging diplomatic ties in October 1970, Zhang said China would like to work with Canada, respect each other's choice of development path and core concerns, and implement the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November.

Stressing that the NPC attaches great importance to relations with the Federal Parliament of Canada, Zhang said the NPC would like to forge cooperation to a higher and deeper level.

He suggested the two sides strengthen communication and boost mutual understanding by taking the whole situation into consideration and making good use of the China-Canada Legislative Association to have a frank exchange of views.

Zhang also called for closer cooperation to promote common development. The two legislative bodies should actively push forward the integration of both sides' development strategies in the hope of creating more favorable conditions for mutual investment and protection of legal rights of enterprises, he said.

The top legislator said China is deepening its fight against corruption and committed to building an anti-corruption legal and system framework with Chinese characteristics.

He encouraged both parliaments to step up cooperation on rule of law and support both governments' cooperation on anti-corruption and hunt for those who have fled abroad.

Furey, who chose China as his first foreign destination after taking office in early December, said it is in line with both countries' interests to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.

Calling China a "priority" of the Federal Parliament of Canada's foreign relations, Furey said the parliament is willing to increase exchange of visits with China's NPC, advance bilateral cooperation in various fields and boost mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao also met with Furey Monday. He said China is ready to enhance political mutual trust and further cooperation with Canada in fighting corruption, judiciary and law enforcement.

Furey said his country attaches great importance to relations with China and is ready to increase cooperation in economy, resources and culture.

Furey is visiting at the invitation of Zhang from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9. This is his first time in China.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), holds talks with Canadian Speaker of the Senate George Furey in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)