Australian Governor-General arrives in Beijing

Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery arrived in the Chinese capital Saturday to continue his 10-day state visit to China as guest of President Hu Jintao.

During his stay in Beijing, he is expected to meet Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, respectively.

Before heading for Beijing from Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jeffery met with Shaanxi provincial Governor Chen Deming Saturday noon. He said Australia and China share many similarities and have maintained sound economic and trade relations.

The two countries are conducting negotiations on a free trade agreement, Jeffery said, expressing his belief they will enjoy even broader prospects for economic cooperation in the future.

He said Australia is ready to beef up cooperation with China in the utilization of clean energy and agriculture.

Chen Deming briefed Jeffery on the social and economic development of Shaanxi in recent years. He said Shaanxi is China's spaceflight base, and enjoys advantages in education, energy, electronic technology and new materials.

Chen hopes Shaanxi and Australia would enhance cooperation and exchanges in various fields.

During his stay in Xi'an, Jeffery visited the terra-cotta warriors museum, and some Sino-Australian joint projects.

Besides Beijing and Xi'an, Jeffery also visited Shanghai, which is the first stop of his current China tour.

Source: Xinhua