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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, May 23, 2002

Australia Welcomes China's More Active Role in the Region: Howard

Visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in Beijing Wednesday that Australia welcomes China's more active role in the region.


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Visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in Beijing Wednesday that Australia welcomes China's more active role in the region.

Howard made the remark when delivering a speech entitled "Australia and China: Partners in Growth" at the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China.

"We cannot claim a shared past, but we can build a shared future," he said, adding that in the 21st century, the two nations will "be companions on a journey towards the same clear and unambiguous goals-- the political and military stability of the region and the attainment of economic prosperity for the citizens."

He said frequent high-level visits between the two governments have enhanced their understanding, and significant opportunities exist in their security cooperation.

"We stand ready, indeed enthusiastic, to expand the trade between us and I'm hopeful that new ways can be found to negotiate closer economic cooperation," he added.

He said by identifying common goals, continuously striving for greater understanding and seeking new opportunities for engagement, Australia and China will have much to offer each other in the decades to come.

He acknowledged the differences between the two nations, but stressed that he sought to focus on "what Australia and China have in common," for he thought it was a sign of the maturity of their relationship that areas of difference and even fundamental disagreement could be accommodated within the context of their broader relationship.

After the speech, the Prime Minister answered questions raised by the school's faculty and students.



Backgrounder: China and Australia
  • Bilateral Political Relationship in Retrospect

  • Economic and Technical cooperation and trade relations

  • Exchanges in culture, education, science and technology.

  • Military Exchanges

  • Important Communiques and agreements between China and Australia

    Sources from: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs



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