China vowed to further enhance parliamentary and economic cooperation with Australia on Thursday.

In a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, top legislator Wu Bangguo said China's National People's Congress (NPC) had maintained close contact with the Australian Federal Parliament and the two sides had established a regular exchange mechanism.

China's NPC vigorously supported the development of bilateral ties with Australia and would like to further enhance contacts with the country's parliament.

Wu called on the two sides to exchange the experience of state governance and the construction of democratic and legal system, so as to exert more efforts for the mutual understanding and mutually beneficially cooperation between the two.

Hailing the Australia-China ties and the broad prospects, Rudd said Australia was willing to step up parliamentary and party-to-party cooperation with China.

In another meeting on Thursday afternoon, Vice Premier Li Keqiang and Rudd exchanged ideas on promoting economic and trade ties.

Li told Rudd the bilateral economic and trade cooperation had maintained a lasting and rapid growth.

China became the largest trade partner of Australia for the first time last year, with the two-way trade volume reaching 43.84 billion U.S. dollars.

"Facts show that the economic and trade cooperation between China and Australia are conducive to both peoples and also a great impetus to the development of bilateral ties," Li said.

He stressed China was ready to join with Australia to advance negotiations of a free trade agreement, further enhance cooperation in energy, resources and environment, actively encourage and to support enterprises from both sides to conduct strategic cooperation in accordance with market rules.

Rudd said the Australia-China economic ties have three pillars: energy, resources and agriculture; manufacturing; and the finance and service industry. Australia hoped to constantly cement the three pillars.

He also pledged to enhance cooperation with China on tackling climate change.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2008)