Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Veroljub Arsic, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu Monday met with Veroljub Arsic, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, here Monday, calling for closer bilateral ties.

Calling China and Serbia "sincere friends of each other," Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has been lifted to a new high under the guidance of the two heads of state.

Bilateral pragmatic cooperation has been at the forefront of the Belt and Road cooperation, Li added.

He called on both countries to consolidate traditional friendship, continue to firmly support each other on core interests and issues of major concern, set examples of political mutual trust, common development and people-to-people exchanges so as to build a closer community with shared interests and a shared future.

Li also called on the two legislatures to enhance cooperation in areas including legislation, supervision and governance in order to better implement the consensus of the two heads of state.

Arsic said the National Assembly of Serbia stands ready to intensify exchanges with the NPC and give full play to the cooperation committee between the legislatures of Serbia and China, to make new contributions to boosting practical cooperation between the two countries and friendship between the two peoples.