On September 6, 2007, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Australian Prime Minister John Howard held talks in Sydney. During the talks, both sides spoke highly of bilateral ties, agreeing to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, expand consensus and deepen cooperation to push forward the all-round development of bilateral ties.

Chinese President Hu Jintao holds talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Sydney

In the past 35 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, the all-round development of bilateral ties has brought substantial benefits to both peoples and contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, the Chinese president said. China and Australia, both as nations of significant influence, shoulder important responsibilities of safeguarding and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, he added. "We hope China and Australia would become not only each other's major trading partners, but also constructive cooperative partners in regional and international affairs," Hu said. China attaches great importance to developing its relations with Australia and is ready to develop bilateral ties from a long-term and strategic perspective and in an all-round way, Hu added.

Hu also put forward the following four-point proposal on enhancing bilateral ties: First, both countries maintain closer high-level exchanges and strengthen strategic dialogue and bilateral contacts among legislative bodies and political parties to cement the political basis of bilateral ties. The two countries agreed to establish an annual strategic dialogue mechanism and hoped to increase dialogue and strengthen coordination on important issues concerning long-term development of bilateral ties as well as world peace and development, the Chinese president said. "I hope such a mechanism will contribute to pushing forward the long-term, healthy and steady development of bilateral ties," said the Chinese president. Second, both countries take steps to deepen economic and trade cooperation to achieve a win-win situation of mutual benefit. The two countries should further tap advantage of complementary industries, enhance economic and technological cooperation and two-way investment and expand cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, including clean energy, environmental protection, climate change and water resources, Hu said. Third, the two sides increase people-to-people exchanges, enhance friendship, strengthen cooperation on culture, education and tourism and support the increase of contact among the youth. Fourth, China and Australia strengthen communications and coordination, and build a harmonious Asia-Pacific region through joint efforts. The two countries should strengthen dialogue and coordination on key regional and international issues, enhance cooperation within the multilateral organizations including the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Pacific Islands Forum, and promote efforts by the countries in the region to achieve common security based on mutual trust and mutual benefit, equality and coordination, he said.

On the Taiwan question, Hu said it concerns China's core interests, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China, with great sincerity, will do its utmost to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and promote the healthy development of relations across the Taiwan Straits, Hu said. "The Chinese government will do its utmost to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question, but will never allow anyone to attempt to separate Taiwan from its motherland by any means," Hu added. The Australian government has reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence" in numerous occasions, Hu said. China appreciates the Australian government's stance and hopes it will continue to support the Chinese people's efforts to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

Howard lauded the strong ties between Australia and China, saying the two countries have seen quick development in bilateral trade, educational cooperation and personnel exchanges in the past 10 years. He pointed out that China's development benefits not only China, but Australia and the whole world as well. Australia is engaged in a long-term development of ties with China and ready to increase strategic dialogue with it and expand cooperation in all fields, he added.

The Australian prime minister stressed that his country has always adhered to the one China policy and will not change this stand. Australia does not support the Taiwan authority in its attempt to seek UN membership and opposes any of its provocations, he said.

The Australian senior officials at the talks said they would cherish friendly relations with China and bilateral cooperation in all areas, expressing hope to strengthen exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation on diplomacy, trade, investment, environmental protection, tourism and culture.

Following their talks, Hu Jintao and Howard attended a signing ceremony of six documents on bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, justice and culture and later met with the journalists. Hu announced at the press conference that to show the friendship with Australian people, China has decided to present a pair of giant pandas to Adelaide Zoo for joint research. He hoped the pair of giant pandas will serve as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Expressing thanks for this, Howard said it shows the friendly feelings Chinese people have held to Australian people.

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 above-mentioned activities.