Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday said that exchanges between
Chinese and Australian legislatures have contributed to the
comprehensive cooperation between both countries.
During his meeting with David Hawker, speaker of the Australian
House of Representatives, and Alan Ferguson, president of the
Australian Senate, Wednesday morning, Hu lauded the two countries'
legislatures for promoting the friendship between the Chinese and
Australian people and the comprehensive cooperation between the two
nations.
With the development of bilateral ties, the two countries have
enhanced their political mutual trust and made remarkable progress
in economic and trade cooperation, said the Chinese president.
The two countries have coordinated closely in handling regional
and world issues, he added.
"The development of China-Australia relationship serves the
fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and has
enhanced peace, stability and prosperity in our region and the
world at large," Hu said.
"China would work together with Australia to increase mutual
trust, expand common ground, deepen cooperation and boost the
growth of China-Australia ties," the Chinese president said.
For his part, Hawker said Australia would firmly adhere to the
one-China policy.
He said bilateral relations have maintained a strong momentum of
growth, with high-level exchanges increasing and economic and trade
cooperation expanding. China will soon become Australia's largest
trading partner, he said, adding that he hopes bilateral ties would
develop further.
Ferguson said that in recent years, the Chinese National
People's Congress and the Australian parliament have kept frequent
exchanges of visits, which have promoted the development of
bilateral ties.
He hoped that the legislatures of the two countries would
continue to play an active role in expanding the mutually
beneficial cooperation.
President Hu is on a state visit to Australia and will also
attend the Economic Leaders' Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) slated for Sept. 8-9 in Sydney.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2007)
