BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Guangdong, south China, has added new content to energy cooperation between China and Australia, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday.

    Jiang said the project will help China develop its liquefied natural gas industry and make use of clean energy.

    The project is the first LNG project China has imported from abroad. The project is now completed, she said.

    Australian Prime Minister John Howard will pay a working visit to China from June 27 to 29. Howard will attend the ceremony marking the operation of the liquefied natural gas project's first phase scheduled to be held in Shenzhen on Wednesday, and then hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He will also attend a symposium on China-Australia free trade zone on Wednesday afternoon.

    On Sino-Australian relations, Jiang said the relations have been developing very well. Trade volume between the two countries in 2005 reached 27.3 billion U.S. dollars, a year-on-year increase of 33 percent.

    The bilateral cooperation in culture and education, science and technology, tourism and consulate affairs, has become closer and closer, Jiang said.

    China considers Australia a good friend, and is willing to make joint efforts with the Australian side to strengthen dialogue and deepen cooperation so as to promote bilateral development in an all-round way, Jiang said. Enditem