China, Australia pledge to push bilateral ties to new high

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday said China would work with Australia to handle ties from a strategic and long-term perspective and push bilateral ties to new high.

"China attaches great importance to relations with Australia," Xi told visiting President of the Australian Senate John Hogg.

Xi also called for more friendly exchanges between parliaments, parties and other social circles of the two countries as well as substantial cooperation in all areas to enrich the content of Sino-Australian ties.

"China and Australia are influential nations in the Asia-Pacific region, and share common interests and have solid foundations for cooperation," he said.

Xi said the two countries had maintained frequent high-level contacts, and cooperation on trade, energy resources, and tourism had been fruitful.

"Good Sino-Australian ties conform to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and help promote peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world," he said.

Hogg said Australia wanted to promote understanding and cooperation with China.

Hogg is visiting China at the invitation of top legislator Wu Bangguo who met with him on Monday.

Source: Xinhua