Chinese and Australian law makers held a bilateral conference in
Canberra on Wednesday to exchange views on issues including the
Sino-Australian ties, the Taiwan issue and regional topics.
The conference was the first to be held under a bilateral
parliamentary exchange conference mechanism set up in August last
year.
Sheng Huaren, visiting vice-chairman of China's National
People's Congress Standing Committee, told the one-day conference
that China and Australia are two key players in the Asia and
Pacific region, sharing interests in maintaining regional peace and
promoting development.
The Chinese government always sees the Sino-Australian relations
from a strategic perspective and regards Australia as a good friend
and partner in seeking mutual benefit and cooperation, Sheng
said.
The Australian delegation, led by Deputy Speaker of the House of
Representatives Ian Causley, echoed Sheng's remarks on the
bilateral relations and expressed the hope to further enhance
exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
The Chinese side also expressed appreciation over Australia's
adherence to the one China policy and its opposition to the "Taiwan
independence." The Australian delegation said Australia will
support China's cause of peaceful reunification and Australia
stands firm on the one China policy.
Both sides highlighted the role of parliaments in advancing the
Sino-Australian relations, agreeing to hold the next exchange
conference in China at a time to be fixed.
(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2007)
