Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister John Howard during their meeting in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 6, 2007.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Visiting
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Australian Prime Minister John Howard held talks
here Thursday and agreed to strengthen dialogue and push forward the all-round
development of bilateral ties.
During their talks in Australia's largest city of
Sydney, the two leaders also pledged to enhance mutual trust and deepen
cooperation.
Hu also put forward the following four-point proposal
on enhancing bilateral ties:
First, both countries maintain closer high-level
exchanges, strengthen strategic dialogue and bilateral contacts among
legislative bodies and political parties.
The two countries agreed to establish an annual
strategic dialogue mechanism and hoped to increase dialogue and strengthen
coordination on important issues concerning long-term development of bilateral
ties as well as world peace and development, the Chinese president said.
"I hope such mechanism will contribute to pushing
forward the long-term, healthy and steady development of bilateral ties," said
the Chinese president.
Second, both countries take steps to deepen economic
and trade cooperation to achieve a win-win situation of mutual benefit.
The two countries should expand cooperation in
sustainable development, including clean energy, environmental protection,
climate change and water resources, Hu said.
Third, the two sides increase people-to-people
exchanges, enhance friendship, strengthen cooperation and support the increase
of contact among the youth.
Fourth, China and Australia strengthen communications
and coordination, and build a harmonious Asia-Pacific region through joint
efforts.
The two countries should strengthen cooperation
within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation and Pacific Islands Forum, and promote efforts by the countries in
the region to achieve common security based on mutual trust and mutual benefit,
equality and coordination, he said.
In the past 35 years since the two countries
established diplomatic ties, the all-round development of bilateral ties has
brought substantial benefits to both peoples and contributed to peace, stability
and prosperity in the region and the world, the Chinese president said.
China and Australia, both as nations of significant
influence, shoulder important responsibilities of safeguarding and promoting
peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, he added.
"We hope China and Australia would become not only
each other's major trading partners, but also constructive cooperative partners
in regional and international affairs," Hu said.
China attaches great importance to developing its
relations with Australia and is ready to develop bilateral ties from a long-term
and strategic perspective and in an all-round way, Hu added.
On the Taiwan question, Hu said it concerns China's
core interests, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China, with
great sincerity, will do its utmost to safeguard peace and stability across the
Taiwan Straits and promote the healthy development of relations across the
Taiwan Straits, Hu said.
"The Chinese government will do its utmost to achieve
a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question, but will never allow anyone to
attempt to separate Taiwan from its motherland by any means," Hu added.
The Australian government has reaffirmed its
adherence to the one China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence" in
numerous occasions, Hu said.
China appreciates the Australian government's stance and hopes it will
continue to support the Chinese people's efforts to safeguard the national
sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.
Howard lauded the strong ties between Australia and
China, saying the two countries have seen quick development in bilateral trade,
educational cooperation and personnel exchanges in the past10 years.
He pointed out that China's development benefits not
only China, but Australia and the whole world as well. Australia is engaged ina
long-term development of ties with China and ready to increase strategic
dialogue with it and expand cooperation in all fields, he added.
The Australian prime minister stressed that his
country has always adhered to the one China policy and will not change this
stand. Australia does not support the Taiwan authority in its attempt to seek UN
membership and opposes any of its provocations, he said.
Following their talks, officials of the two countries
signed a series of documents on bilateral cooperation.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia. In 2006, the two
countries agreed to develop a relationship of comprehensive and mutually
beneficial cooperation in the 21st century.
In recent years, cooperation between the two
countries has been expanding steadily in a wide range of fields such as economy,
trade, energy, environmental protection, culture, science and technology,
education and tourism.
Hu started his state visit to Australia on Monday,
the second since 2003.
On Thursday, Hu addressed the opening ceremony of the
APEC Business Summit and expounded China's views on advancing comprehensive
cooperation among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members in
pursuit of sustainable development in the region and the world at large.
On Saturday and Sunday, Hu will attend the Economic
Leaders Meeting of the APEC forum in Sydney, and meet with leaders of other APEC
members on the sidelines of the meeting.
SYDNEY, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao
met with Morris Iemma, premier of New South Wales in Sydney on Wednesday, soon
after arriving from a trip to Canberra, Australia. Full
story
CANBERRA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said here
Wednesday that exchanges between Chinese and Australian legislatures have
contributed to the comprehensive cooperation between both countries. Full story
PERTH, Australia, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu
Jintao arrived here Monday for a state visit to Australia, where he will also
attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Sydney on Sept. 8-9. Full story
