China's top political advisor meets Irish deputy PM

Yu Zhengsheng(R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2013. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China's top political advisor, Yu Zhengsheng, met with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore on Wednesday.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the political mutual trust and extensive cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides should further advance the bilateral relationship featuring equality, reciprocity and mutual complementarity to enrich and deepen their strategic partnership in a sustained way, Yu said.

The CPPCC attaches importance to friendship with the Irish parliament and looks forward to conducting various exchanges and cooperation to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, according to the political advisor.

Gilmore said he is appreciative of the CPPCC's support for the development of the bilateral relationship.

Ireland sticks to the one-China policy and respects China's development path, Gilmore said, adding that the Irish side will remain committed to boosting practical cooperation with China in various fields.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Gilmore, who is also Ireland's minister for foreign affairs and trade.