BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Australian opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull said here Saturday that Australia should not see China as a strategic threat or a potential rival.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) talks with Malcolm Turnbull, leader of the Australian opposition Liberal Party, at Brisbane, Australia, Oct. 31, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>
Turnbull, leader of the Australian opposition Liberal Party, made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang at Brisbane airport.
Turnbull noted that his party, whether in power or in opposition, has always pursued a positive China policy and has built a strong, deep and fruitful relationship with China for years.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with Malcolm Turnbull, leader of the Australian opposition Liberal Party, at Brisbane, Australia, Oct. 31, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>
The Liberal Party believes that China is taking the road of peaceful development and Australia should not treat China as a strategic threat or a potential competitor, he said.
His party would like to work with the Chinese side to strengthen cooperation in tackling global challenges such as climate change and to further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, he said.
The Liberal Party sticks to the one-China policy and respects and supports the Chinese government's efforts to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national reunification, Turnbull said, adding that his party would not support any forces that seek to split China.
Li expressed appreciation for the Liberal Party's adherence to the one-China policy and its upholding of the principle that Tibet is part of Chinese territory.
Party-to-party exchanges are an important component of the China-Australia relationship, Li said. The Communist Party of China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the Liberal Party on the basis of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
China and Australia share broad common interests and their common interests far outweigh their differences, Li said, adding that there is a broad prospect for further development of their bilateral relations.
It is essential for the two countries to respect each other's core interests and major concerns and handle sensitive issues with a strategic and long-term perspective, Li said.
The Chinese side is ready to work with both the Australian ruling and opposition parties to further promote the healthy and steady development of the all-round bilateral relationship, Li said.
Li arrived in Sydney on Thursday at the start of a four-day official visit to Australia. He arrived here from Canberra, the capital city.
During his stay in Australia, the Chinese vice premier had already met with senior Australian leaders and local government officials and made a speech at a reception hosted by Australian business leaders.
Li is due to leave for New Zealand on Sunday as part of a three-nation tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea.
CANBERRA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met here Friday with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to discuss the development of relations between their two countries and issues of common concern.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (L) meets with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang in Canberra, capital of Australia, Oct. 30, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>
At the meeting, Li said that a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship was beneficial to the core interests of the two peoples and would therefore help promote stability and prosperity in the region and the world as a whole.Full story
CANBERRA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- China and Australia have agreed to strengthen their practical cooperation for mutually beneficial outcomes in a joint statement released Friday.
Their stronger practical cooperation "serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," said the statement. Full story
SYDENY, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Friday voiced China's hope to intensify the dialogues and contacts with Australia so as to enhance mutual trust between the two countries.
The Sino-Australian relations have kept a sound momentum of an all-round development since the establishment of diplomatic ties 37 years ago, Li said here when meeting with his Australian counterpart Julia Gillard. Full story
SYDNEY, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Australia.
China-Australia cooperation held promising prospects, Li said. China had already become Australia's biggest trading partner, while Australia was also an important trading and investment partner for China. Full story
