Chinese Vice Premier Holds Talks with Australian Counterpart

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo said China is willing to work with Australia to push forward the bilateral ties in the new century on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect.

Wu made the remarks here Tuesday afternoon in talks with visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services John Anderson of Australia.

Wu said the Chinese government has always attached importance to its relations with Australia. He noted that President Jiang Zemin made a successful state visit to Australia in 1999 and the leaders of the two countries agreed to establish long-term, stable and healthy Sino-Australian relations of all-round cooperation oriented towards the 21st century.

Wu said the trade and economic ties between the two countries have also grown substantially, with the bilateral trade reached US$8. 453 billion in 2000, a record high in history.

The two countries are planning to sign the memorandum on transportation cooperation, which again shows the further development of bilateral trade and economic ties, Wu said.

Wu also briefed the guests on China's principled position on the Taiwan issue. He said he hopes the Australian government will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and handle the Taiwan issue cautiously.

Anderson said his current visit to China is very significant to his government, which attaches importance to its relations with China.

He said both the Australian government and major political parties in the country are committed to developing the Australia- China friendly cooperation.

The friendship between the two countries enjoys a long history, Anderson said, adding that people of Chinese origin have made great contributions to the development of Australia.

He said his government will continue to stick to the one-China policy and will only maintain non-official relations with Taiwan, such as in the areas of economy and trade.

The two sides also exchanged views on the APEC meetings to be held in China, China's accession into the World Trade Organization, and the details in bilateral economic and trade relations.

Anderson and his party arrived in Shenzhen, an economically booming city in South China, on Sunday for an official visit at the invitation of Wu.






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