On September 5, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Morris Iemma, premier of New South Wales in Sydney.

During the meeting, Hu said that rich in natural resources, New South Wales enjoys developed economy, advanced science and technology and diversified culture. Rapid development has been achieved in friendly cooperation between China and the Australian state in recent years with frequent high-level exchanges, dynamic trade cooperation and remarkable progress made in scientific, technological, educational and humanistic cooperation. The Chinese government attaches importance to developing friendly cooperation with the state and is also willing to work with the government and people of New South Wales to further tap potentials and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, science and technology, education, environmental protection and tourism, Hu said.

Expressing warm welcome for Hu's visit to New South Wales, Iemma said over the past 35 years, former leaders of Australia and the state, with far-sightedness and wisdom, have expanded friendly relations with China, which are of great significance to New South Wales and have contributed to diversified culture and prosperous economy in the state. Australia is committed to developing cooperation with China in economy, trade, society, education, culture and tourism and looks forward to more fruitful cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Sydney, through its successful hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games, has gained precious experience in organizing large-scale sports events, such as the Olympic Games, Hu said. He expressed hope that Sydney would strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Beijing in this regard and wished the Beijing Olympic Games a great success.

Also present at the meeting were Edward Whitlam, Robert Hawke and Paul Keating, all former federal prime ministers of Australia. Hu praised their contributions to the development of Sino-Australian relations and hoped they would continue to follow and show care for bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Wang Gang, the alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Director of General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.