Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Yaping) Photo Gallery>>>

    CANBERRA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith started their first round of bilateral strategic dialogue here on Tuesday and reached a broad consensus on various issues.

    The two ministers agreed that the establishment of such annual strategic dialogue was in line with the needs of the progressive development of the bilateral ties, was following the current trend of peace, development and cooperation in the world, and marked the new stage of bilateral ties.

    During the dialogue, the two sides reached agreement on five issues concerning the bilateral relations. The first was to strengthen high level exchange and enhance mutual trust in politics; second was to expand mutual interest and deepen bilateral cooperation; the third was to expand peoples' contacts and increase friendly exchange in cultural and educational sectors; the fourth was to strengthen dialogue and communication, care about the sensitive issues of both sides; and the fifth was to strengthen regional cooperation to mutually promote regional peace and stability.

    The strategic dialogue system between China and Australia was set up by the leaders of both countries in last September when Chinese President Hu Jintao paid an official visit to Australia. The dialogue provides a platform for both countries to strengthen dialogue and communication over bilateral ties as well as important regional and international issues.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Yaping) Photo Gallery>>>

Australian FM reiterates one-China policy

    CANBERRA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday that the one-China policy, which Australia has been upholding for 35 years, was part and parcel of Australian recognition of China as a nation.

    Referring to a question about Australia's comment on Taiwan's referendum on UN membership, Smith told reporters at a press conference that Australia adheres "absolutely to our one-China policy and we are very concerned to ensure that action is not taken in Taiwan or the Taiwan Straits, which would cause concern or potential in harmony across the Straits itself."  Full story