Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Hanoi, Vietnam yesterday
that China is ready to join efforts with Australia in expanding the
comprehensive and cooperative ties between the two countries.
During the meeting with his Australian counterpart Alexander
Downer on the sidelines of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation) Ministerial Meeting, Li said the mutual political
trust between the two countries has been strengthened and fresh
progress has been made in their exchange and cooperation in various
fields.
Noting that China and Australia will celebrate the 35th
anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year, Li said the two
countries will hold a series of cultural, economic trade and
academic activities to mark the event.
While expressing satisfaction with the good relations between
the two countries, Downer reiterated that Australia will uphold the
one-China policy.
The two ministers pledged that both sides will make joint
efforts in making substantial progress in the negotiations on a
free trade agreement between the two countries.
Besides, they discussed the nuclear issue on the Korean
Peninsula and other international and regional issues as well.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)
