Chinese VP meets Australian FM

BEIJING, Dec. 6 -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao on Friday met with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Beijing.

Bishop is in Beijing to attend the annual Foreign and Strategic Dialogue between China and Australia.

The dialogue is part of a series of annual bilateral consultative mechanisms established during former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's visit to China in April of this year, when leaders of both countries agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.

Li said the development of China-Australia ties is in line with the common interests of the people of both countries.

To ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, the two sides should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, he said.

He hoped that the two sides would make joint efforts to boost the development of their bilateral strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Bishop said Australia attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with China.

Australia is willing to conduct long-term and comprehensive dialogue and cooperation with China in the areas of the economy and trade, investment, military and education on the basis of mutual respect and benefit, she said.