Chinese VP meets Australian officials to boost ties

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday respectively met Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Paul Henderson, Chief Minister of Australia’s Northern Territory.

During the talks with Bryce here, Xi said he had exchanged views with a wide range of leaders and entrepreneurs in Australia during his trip, reaching comprehensive consensus on deepening cooperation on politics, trade, science and technology, education and tourism.

Earlier this month, Bryce herself had paid a visit to China, attending the ceremony of the “Australian Pavilion Day” at the Shanghai World Expo and hosting the opening ceremony for the “Australian Culture Year.”

Xi praised that such moves showed that the Governor-General attaches great importance to developing relations with China.

Xi said both China and Australia are two important nations in the Asia-Pacific region, and both share common interests in safeguarding the peace and stability in the region and pushing forward the regional and global economic growth.

The vice president said the Chinese government is willing to join hands with Australia to enhance dialogue, expand consensus, increase mutual trust and explore cooperation, so as to achieve more progress in developing bilateral relations and bring more blessing to people in the two countries.

Bryce said Xi’s current visit has conveyed an important signal that the Chinese people attach importance to the relations with Australia, demonstrated the depth of bilateral relations and set the direction for future efforts.