• People sit on top of a bus as they go past flags of Pakistan and China displayed along a road in Islamabad.

People sit on top of a bus as they go past flags of Pakistan and China displayed along a road in Islamabad. (Photo : Reuters)

China's top lawmaker Zhang Dejiang called for better parliamentary exchanges and anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan on Thursday.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made his remarks during talks with Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Beijing, according to a report from Xinhua News Agency.

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Both officials agreed to improve bilateral cooperation in anti-terrorism measures and to "jointly safeguard peace, stability, and security."

Sadiq also discussed the trilateral parliamentary dialogue between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is aims to promote regional stability and strengthening relationships between the three nations.

In turn, Zhang called on Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and organizations within the country.

The NPC chairman also noted the increasingly successful cooperation between the two strategic partners in recent years, and that the construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor is essential to improved interregional cooperation as well as aiding China's plans for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

"China treasures its traditional friendship with Pakistan, and always considers the ties as a priority of the country's foreign policy," Zhang said, adding that the country maintains a policy of equality and mutual benefit with Pakistan. He also proposed for better cooperation in areas such as education, culture, youth and tourism.

Sadiq praised China's anti-terrorism efforts, adding that Pakistan's National Assembly is willing to strengthen exchanges with the NPC and facilitate further bilateral cooperation in various areas.

The Pakistani delegation is on their last leg of a week-long tour of China. They have previously met with Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Yin Yicui on Monday in Shanghai, where they discussed investment prospects while visiting various Chinese enterprises.