Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said that China and Australia have witnessed rapid expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas in recent years.

Zeng made the remark during his meeting with visiting Paul Henry Calvert, president of the Senate of the Australian Federal Parliament, in the Great Hall of the People Tuesday afternoon.

Zeng said during the successful visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Australia last October, the leaders of the two countries reached broad consensus on deepening the all-round cooperative bilateral relations.

Zeng said China appreciates the Australian government and parliament for their adherence to the one-China policy. He said China is ready to join efforts with Australia to expand exchanges and further tap into the potential of pushing forward bilateral relations.

Calvert agreed with Zeng on his positive comment about bilateral relations. Calvert said the government and parliament of Australia place importance on developing relations with China and will continue to stick to the one-China policy. He said the Australian parliament is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

Zeng welcomed Calvert to China for his first visit. He expressed the belief that Calvert's visit will play an active role in promoting the relations between the two countries and especially their parliaments.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2004)