China Plays Constructive Role in DPRK Nuclear Issue: Australian PM

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 19, 2003

China Plays Constructive Role in DPRK Nuclear Issue: Australian PM

China has played a constructive role in resolving the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Monday in Beijing.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

China has played a constructive role in resolving the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Monday in Beijing.

He told the press that the DPRK nuclear issue is "real and serious" and all of the relevant countries are working very hard to achieve a guaranteed and peaceful outcome.

"China has more influence on the issue than any other country in the world," Howard said. China has played a constructive and positive role in bringing about the six-party talks to be held next week in Beijing, he said.

"We both oppose the DPRK having nuclear capacity, we both want the issue resolved in a peaceful fashion, and we both support very strongly the six-party talks that will be held in Beijing ," he said.

Australia-China trade relationship "very strong"

Howard told the press Monday that the economic and trade relationship between Australia and China is "very strong."

The two countries have a very complementary trade relationship, he said.

China is Australia's third largest trade partner, and over the past six or seven years, Australia's exports to China have tripled.

Howard said that it is against this backdrop that the two sides have agreed to continue discussing a framework for a free trade agreement. Officials from both sides will discuss the issue in Canberra in September and in Beijing in October.

Beijing on good progress preparing for Olympic Games

Beijing is making good progress in preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games, said Howard, when addressing a banquet with the presence of some 80 people from Chinese and Australian business circles.

Howard said he hoped that Beijing would make use of Australian expertise as it gears up for the 2008 Olympics, which he believes will be very successful.

He said he was pleased that Australian firms have won significant contracts in the lead-up to the Games, including those for the National Swimming Center, the training master plan, and the master plan for the Beijing Olympic Green.

Howard also mentioned the liquefied natural gas contract signed between China and Australia, saying, "Australia is a reliable quality supplier, with the capacity and experience to meet China's clean energy needs for years to come."

Howard said he "values the very strong bilateral relationship" between the two countries and "is looking forward to working with the new (Chinese) leadership to forge even closer ties."

This is Howard's fourth visit to China since he took office as Australia's prime minister. He started his working visit to China Sunday evening as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's guest.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Chinese President Meets Australian PM

Chinese Premier Confers with Australian PM

US Conducts Land-based Missile Test ( 2 Messages)

Chinese Personages Appeal to Japan to Face up to History ( 2 Messages)

Disgraced Official Highlights Chinks in System ( 3 Messages)

Beijing's Economy Forecast to Grow 9-10 Percent in 2003 ( 2 Messages)

China Puts New Anti-AIDS Drug in Clinical Use ( 2 Messages)