China willing to develop friendship, partnership with Australia: PM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday that China is willing to become a good friend and good partner to Australia.

"There are no fundamental differences standing in the way of China- Australia relations. Rather, we enjoy extensive converging interests," Wen said in a speech delivered at a welcoming banquet hosted by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Wen said a long-term and stable relationship and cooperation between China and Australia serve the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples.

"The Chinese side views its relationship with Australia from a strategic perspective and wishes to become a good friend and good partner to Australia," he said.

The Chinese premier noted Australia is endowed with rich resources and has a developed economy and advanced technologies, whereas China has a large population, a huge market and tremendous potential for development.

"China is now the largest source country of overseas students to Australia and the number of Chinese tourists to Australia is growing faster than any other country," he said.

Cultural links and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will become even closer with the inauguration of a second Confucius Academy in Australia and the success of the series of activities entitled "Experience the Chinese Culture in Australia," he added.

Premier Wen said that during his meeting with Austrian Prime Minister John Howard earlier, broad agreement was reached on developing China-Australia relations of all-round cooperation for mutual benefit and a win-win outcome in the 21st century.

Both agreed to strengthen bilateral political exchanges and strategic dialogue to enhance mutual trust, he said.

"We are committed to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy and resources and other fields and accelerating the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations for mutual benefit and common progress," Wen said.

The two countries will promote cultural, educational and tourism exchanges to enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples, he said, adding that they will work together to promote the sound and orderly development of regional cooperation in the interest of prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wen arrived here on Sunday for an official visit. Australia is the first leg of his four-nation Asian-Pacific tour, which will also take him to Fiji, New Zealand and Cambodia.

Source: Xinhua