Parliamentary exchanges between China and Australia will help deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries and promote regional cooperation, National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Wednesday. 

Wu made the remark during a meeting with Paul Henry Calvert, president of the Senate of the Australian Federal Parliament, in the Great Hall of the People. 

Wu said the current visit would further strengthen relations between the NPC and the Australian parliament and he welcomed more parliament members to visit, saying that the NPC is ready to expand multi-level communications through various channels. He hoped that the two sides could exchange ideas on the development of market-oriented legislation and add new impetus to bilateral relations. 

Wu made positive comments on the evolution of those relations, noting that the frequent exchange of visits has helped deepen political trust and promote cooperation in trade, economy and other areas. 

Wu said the visit of President Hu Jintao to Australia last October had ushered Sino-Australian relations to a new stage. He said China is ready to work with Australia to expand the all-round cooperative relations of mutual trust, long-term friendship, and mutual benefits and advances for both peoples. 

Wu said the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and the patriotism of 1.3 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan. He said China appreciates the stance of the Australian government and parliament on the one-China policy and their opposition to Taiwan independence. He said this is not only in the common interests of both countries, but also conducive to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. 

Calvert expressed satisfaction on the momentum of bilateral cooperation in such areas as trade, economy, science, technology, culture, education and raw materials. He reiterated that the Australian government and parliament's stance the one-China policy has never been and will not be changed.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2004)