President Hu Jintao's just-concluded tour to Australia, a
major diplomatic move by China in the Asia-Pacific region, is of
great significance in facilitating the development of bilateral
ties and deepening regional cooperation, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Monday.
During his seven-day tour, which started on Sept. 3, Hu paid a
state visit to Australia and attended the 15th Economic Leaders
Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in
Sydney.
President Hu Jintao (R
Front) attends the second-day session of the 15th Economic Leaders
Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Sydney,
Australia, on September 9, 2007.
The president's visit has yielded fruitful results in various
aspects, Yang told reporters on the way back to Beijing.
China-Australia ties boosted
Hu's successful state visit to Australia has achieved the goal
of promoting mutual understanding and deepening cooperation between
the two countries.
China and Australia have agreed to strengthen mutual political
trust, deepen trade and economic cooperation, broaden humanistic
exchanges and enhance communication and coordination in
international and regional affairs.
The two sides will jointly push forward the in-depth development
of their relationship of comprehensive cooperation.
Hu and Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced the
establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism between the two
countries,
China and Australia also issued a joint declaration on climate
change and energy, and signed a series of agreements and contracts
in the fields of trade and economy, energy, justice and culture,
which have raised their mutually-beneficial and practical
cooperation to a new level.
Australian leaders said China's development is conducive to
Australia and the world as a whole, adding that they will continue
to contribute to the two countries' cooperation in various
areas.
Facilitating regional cooperation
During the visit, Hu expounded the Chinese government's policy
and stance on major issues concerning the regional and global
interests.
In a speech delivered at the APEC meeting, the Chinese president
put forward four proposals on tackling climate change, including
ways of strengthening cooperation, pursuing sustainable development
and promoting scientific and technological innovation.
The Chinese president also proposed the setting up of the
Asia-Pacific Network on Forest Rehabilitation and Sustainable
Management.
He spoke of China's measures, achievements and targets in
controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
It is the first time for the Chinese government to put forward
substantial and pragmatic proposals on climate change at an
international meeting.
On regional economic integration, Hu said China is ready to work
with other members to play a constructive role and move the Doha
Round negotiations toward a comprehensive and balanced outcome at
an early date.
APEC members should promote regional economic integration at
various levels and by various means, Hu said.
At the APEC Business Summit, Hu put forward a five-point
proposal, calling for the promotion of balanced world economic
growth, the establishment of a sound multilateral trading regime,
ensuring stable energy supply, the maintenance of a sound natural
environment, and the advancement in science, technology and
education.
China's domestic, foreign policies
In his speech at the APEC meeting, Hu said China is committed to
pursuing development in an open environment and achieving common
prosperity of all countries through mutually beneficial
cooperation.
He said China takes an active part in regional economic
cooperation and promotes trade and investment liberalization and
facilitation in the Asia-Pacific region.
China will continue to transform the pattern of trade growth,
increase import and strengthen protection of intellectual property
rights to ensure coordinated and balanced growth of import and
export and contribute to the sustainable growth of global trade, he
added.
He said China takes quality and safety of its export products
very seriously and follows a highly responsible approach toward
it.
China is willing to step up cooperation in product quality and
safety with other parties to improve quality and guarantee safety
in international trade, Hu said.
Boosting friendly ties with APEC members
On the sidelines of the APEC meeting, President Hu met with
leaders of nine APEC member economies, and reached consensus with
them on further strengthening bilateral friendly cooperation and
enhancing coordination on international and regional issues.
Hu had an in-depth exchange of views with US President George W.
Bush on promoting the constructive and cooperative ties as well as
economic and trade cooperation between their two countries.
President Hu discussed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin on enhancing the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of
cooperation, particularly their strategic cooperation in the
Asia-Pacific region.
Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reviewed the sound
development of the all-round Sino-Japanese ties and agreed to push
forward their strategic relationship for mutual benefit.
When meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, the two
leaders agreed to deepen the partnership of all-around cooperation
between the two countries and maintain stability on the Korean
Peninsula and in northeast Asia.
Hu and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
discussed ways of expanding cooperation in energy, strengthening
their strategic partnership of good-neighborliness and promoting
the development of strategic partnership between China and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
When meeting with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
they said progress has been achieved in the joint development of
the South China Sea by China, the Philippines and Vietnam, and the
two leaders hoped the three parties would continue to cooperate in
the next phase and enhance cooperation to make substantial progress
at an early date.
Hu and Prime Minister Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea (PNG)
agreed to jointly push forward the friendly relationship between
China and PNG as well as with other South Pacific nations.
At talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Hu and
Clark agreed to strive for an early conclusion of the free trade
agreement (FTA) talks between their two countries.
Hu and Peruvian President Alan Garcia agreed to launch bilateral
FTA negotiations.
President Hu also exchanged views with leaders of the APEC
members on global trade, climate change, the nuclear issue on the
Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear issue and Sudan's Darfur issue so
as to seek proper settlement of them.
Winning support from int'l community on Taiwan issue
During talks with leaders of Australia, the United States and
Russia, President Hu reiterated that the Taiwan issue concerns
China's core interests, national sovereignty and territorial
integrity.
The Taiwan authorities flagrantly renewed separatist acts, such
as tabling the proposal of "referendum on UN membership" and
"joining the UN under the name of Taiwan," which severely undermine
not only China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also
peace and stability in the region.
The leaders have reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China
policy and expressed opposition to Taiwan authorities' activities
seeking "a referendum on UN membership."
Hu said China, with great sincerity, will do its utmost to
safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and promote
a healthy development of cross-straits relations.
"The Chinese government will never allow anyone to attempt to
separate Taiwan from its motherland by any means," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2007)
