China attaches great importance to its ties with Australia and hopes to give fresh impetus to the growth of bilateral ties, Vice Premier Huang Ju said in Beijing Monday.

In a meeting with Peter Costello, deputy leader of the Liberal Party (LP) of Australia, Huang spoke highly of healthy and steady growth of Sino-Australian ties, listing such developments as frequent high-level exchanges, tangible cooperation in trade, science and technology, education and tourism, and good consultation and cooperation in global and regional affairs.

On CPC-LP relations, Huang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the inter-party exchanges are of great significance for state-to-state relations. The CPC wishes to enhance cooperation with all friendly political parties in Australia, including the LP.

Costello, who is also Australian Minister of Treasury, extended his congratulation to China's successful hosting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, highlighting his appreciation to China's remarkable economic achievement.

Costello said that Australia is satisfied with current development of Australia-China ties, and the two countries share broad prospects in economic and trade cooperation.

He also expressed his belief that, by combined efforts of the two sides, the Australia-China friendly relations will be further improved.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005)