Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Saber Hossain Chowdhury yesterday met with Chairman of China's National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang in Beijing and discussed a host of global issues and challenges and engagement of the parliamentary community.

The hour-long meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, says a press release.

On a five-day visit to China, the IPU president welcomed the support of the country in helping develop capacities of parliaments, particularly in developing countries, to make the institutions of parliament fit for purpose

in delivery and implementation of the ambitious post-2015 development agenda.

Both leaders underscored the value and need of developing wider and deeper inter-parliamentary relations, exchanges and cooperation to promote enhanced understanding and peace in a diverse and increasingly complex world, the release said.

Enhancing Bangladesh-China bilateral relations in the context of the "Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation" also featured in the discussion. Earlier in the day, the IPU president had a meeting with Assistant Minister Li Jun and senior officials of the International Department of Central Committee of Communist Party of China.