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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull hold a joint press conference after their annual talks in Canberra, Australia, March 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
CANBERRA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- China-Australia cooperation is not targeted at any third party and there is no such issue as taking sides in Australia' s relations with China and the United States, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.
Li, who is on an official visit to Australia from Wednesday through Sunday, made the comment at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull after their annual talks in Canberra.
"As for China-U.S. relations and China-Australia relations, China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and we know that Australia also decides its own foreign policy in the light of Australia's national conditions," Li said.
Li said China has always maintained that countries, big or small, are equals and should respect and treat each other on an equal footing and that China develops relations with other countries in an open and inclusive approach.
China hopes that China-Australia cooperation will not just do good to the two countries, but also bring good to other countries. This cooperation will not bring harm to other countries, still less will this cooperation be targeted at any third party, Li said.
"We believe that we are both guided by the vision of global peace, regional stability, and free trade, and we will each make our own decisions on the merits of each case. There is no such issue as taking sides," the premier said.
The bilateral relationship between China and the United States is the single most important one for the prosperity, security and stability of the world, Turnbull said.
"But we have a staunch, strong ally in Washington, a good friend in Washington, and we have a very good friend in Beijing," Turnbull said. "The idea that Australia has to choose between China and the United States is not correct." During Li's visit, China and Australia finalized major agreements in agriculture including a meat export package which expands chilled meat access from 11 exporters to all eligible Australian exporters. This new agreement will drive significant future growth.
As China transitions to a consumer-driven economy, Australia is well placed to meet Chinese demands for high quality, safe food, beverages, consumer items and services, Turnbull said.
China and Australia should bring forward the review of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to expand trade and facilitate investment and jointly maintain free trade, regional stability and world peace, Li said.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents ranging from FTA, trade and investment, quarantine, climate change, agriculture to culture and education.
Li will pay an official visit to New Zealand after wrapping up his tour to Australia. Li's visits to the two Oceanian countries are the first by a Chinese premier in 11 years.
