Australian Prime Minister John Howard Wednesday reaffirmed Australia's One China policy and said it will not alter the policy. Australia has adhered to its One China policy since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Australia and China in 1973, Howard told the visiting alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Zeng Qinghong.

There had been and would be no change in this policy, Howard stressed, adding that he hoped the two sides of the Taiwan Straits could resolve their differences through peaceful talks.

Zeng, also member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, said there is only one China and that the

peaceful reunification should take "the one China principle" as its prerequisite.

China will not allow any form of "Taiwan independence", he said, adding that he hoped Australia will continue to adhere to the One China policy and oppose to "Taiwan independence."

"This will contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and will be conductive to peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, the Asia-Pacific Region, and the world as well," Zeng

said.

Earlier in the day, Zeng, who arrived Australia on Tuesday to begin his visit, also met Australia's acting Foreign Minister and Trade Minister Mark Vaile and opposition Labor Party Leader Kim Beazley.