Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Premier of Australia's State of Queensland Anna Bligh in Brisbane Oct. 31, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)Photo Gallery>>>

    BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said here Saturday that China and Australia can lift their bilateral relationship to a new level through a strengthened dialogue and increased cooperation between the two trading partners.

    Li spoke during a meeting with Anna Bligh, the premier of Australia's state of Queensland.

    The vice premier said that during his visit to Australia a consensus was reached to enhance the Chinese-Australian friendship, to deepen mutual beneficial cooperation, and to respect and care for each other's core interests and important concerns.

    He also said the two sides released a joint declaration and signed a number of cooperation agreements.

    Meanwhile, China has attached great importance to friendly cooperation with the state of Queensland, said Li, adding that exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have developed rapidly in recent years.

    China, Li said, is willing to work with Queensland to push bilateral exchanges and cooperation to a higher level in a variety of sectors, including investments, agriculture, mining, clean energy, environmental protection and technology.

    Meanwhile, Bligh said Queensland has established a long-term and fruitful relationship with China and noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the state's sister-city relations with China's Shanghai City.

    All circles in Queensland support development of the Australia-China friendly and cooperative relationship, Bligh said.

    Queensland, she said, stands ready to promote cooperation with China in such fields as trade, technology, education, science and research, culture and tourism.

    Bligh also said she will head a state delegation that will attend the Shanghai Expo in 2010 and expects the event to be a great success.



Joint statement by China, Australia to serve as guideline for future relationship: senior diplomat

    BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A joint statement released Friday by China and Australia to strengthen practical cooperation for mutual benefits will be of great guiding significance to bilateral relations, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said here Saturday.

    He Yafei said the statement, which highlights common interests, is a historic document and a defining moment for the future of the two nations. It, He said, showcases the two nations' dedication in building a stable and healthy relationship with a strategic perspective. Full story

China is not a strategic threat: Australian opposition leader

    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.

    Turnbull, leader of the Australian opposition Liberal Party, made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang at Brisbane airport. Full story

Chinese vice-premier, Australian prime minister meet on relations

    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

 China, Australia agree to enhance co-op in joint statement

    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

China willing to enhance mutual trust with Australia: vice premier

    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

Chinese vice premier urges early conclusion of free trade pact with Australia

    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