Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with John Sanderson, governor of Western Australia State of Australia, in Beijing on July 5.

Tang said that Sino-Australian relations developed smoothly in recent years, and leaders of the two nations maintained close contact.

The two sides had effective cooperation in trade and economy, especially in energy and natural resources exploration, he noted.

Western Australia State, with rich natural resources, has played a crucial role in the trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, Tang acknowledged, hoping that the state would make full use of its advantages to play even a greater role in expand the bilateral cooperation in fields of energy and natural resources.

Sanderson appreciated the support the Chinese government extended to his state in developing economic and trade relations with China.

China has become the second trade partner of Western Australia State, he said, adding that the state government attaches great importance to its relations with China, and is willing to have active cooperation with China in energy, natural resources, education, tourism and other fields.

Sanderson arrived in China for a visit on June 24 at the invitation of east China's Zhejiang Province.

Source: Xinhua