BEIJING - Top legislator Wu Bangguo called on young Chinese and Russian lawmakers to work more closely to bring the ties between the two nations to new heights.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislative body, made the remarks in his meeting with a visiting Russian delegation composed of young lawmakers from the Russian State Duma, headed by its Vice Chairwoman Svetlana Zhurova.

Youth shapes the future of our nations, Wu said, highlighting that the growing exchanges between the young members of the two parliaments have worked significantly to foster inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The youth of the two nations should give full play to their respective advantages to help promote bilateral cooperation in culture, education, sports and tourism, Wu said.

He also encouraged the members of the two parliaments to better employ the regular parliamentary exchange mechanism as a way to push bilateral relations to a higher level.

Regarding bilateral relations, Wu spoke highly of its recent momentum, noting that China-Russia ties have become one of the most important aspects of strategic relations toward each other.

China is willing to work with the Russian side to further implement the consensus reached between the two heads of the state and intensify bilateral cooperation in various fields, Wu added.

Zhurova expressed her appreciation of China's achievements during its economic and social development, noting that the young members of the Russian State Duma, who came from various regions and different parties, all share a common aspiration to contribute to the bilateral relationship and to further the traditional friendship between the two nations.

The delegation arrived in Beijing on Monday at the invitation of the NPC the Standing Committee, kicking off its week-long visit in China.