Top Chinese national advisor meets Australian parliament speaker

Top Chinese national advisor Jia Qinglin met with David Hawker, speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, in Beijing Wednesday, said China will further parliamentary exchange and cooperation with Australia.

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with David Hawker, speaker of Australia's House of Representatives, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 13, 2005.

"The Sino-Australian economic and trade links developed quickly and our friendly cooperation in all fields expanded since Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Australia in 2003," said Jia, who is chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body.

"Our cooperation in energy and natural resource sectors witnessed new progress and has become an important part of the economic ties. The building of a China-Australia free trade Area will also facilitate bilateral economic and trade cooperation," Jia noted.

Jia appreciated Australia government's adherence to the one- China policy, saying that the CPPCC will further exchange with the Australian parliament to contribute to the development of Sino- Australian ties.

Jia said he hoped the Australia parliament and its members would understand and support China's efforts to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and achieve the peaceful re- unification of the country.

Hawker hailed Australia-China ties, saying the two countries kept frequent high-level visits and close economic and trade ties.

He reiterated Australia's support for the one-China policy.

China and Australia are striving to forge a free trade agreement and Australian Prime Minister John Winston Howard is expected to talk the issue with his Chinese counterpart in his working visit to China from April 18 to 19.