Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Chilean President Gabriel Boric in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 16, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

BEIJING -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric here on Monday.

The meeting took place ahead of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday in Beijing.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that although China and Chile are far apart from each other, the two countries enjoy profound traditional friendship. The development of the friendship has been firmly supported by the two governments and all sectors of society, setting a good example of solidarity and cooperation between developing countries.

Zhao added that Chile is the first Latin American and Caribbean country to establish a legislative cooperation mechanism with China. The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the National Congress of Chile, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen friendly exchanges at all levels, provide legal guarantees for the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries, and push the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Boric said Chile admires China's great achievements and cherishes the sincere friendship between the two countries. Chile is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, deepen cooperation with China in various fields, intensify exchanges between legislative bodies, and push for the leapfrog development of bilateral relations.

Hao Mingjin, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, also attended the meeting.