Enhancing cultural exchanges

Li also reached consensus with leaders from the three nations on further enhancing friendly cultural exchanges and cooperation and promoting people-to-people links in such fields as education, culture and tourism.

The Chinese delegation endorsed plans with the Australian side for the Year of Australian culture in China in 2010-2011 and the Year of Chinese Culture in Australia in 2011-2012.

Li also said that China would provide a pair of giant pandas to Australia within the year for research purposes.

China signed MOUs with Australia and New Zealand on education and cooperative training programs during Li's visits, and also established a Confucius Institute with Canterbury University in New Zealand.

The Chinese leader also pledged assistance to the three nations in their participation in Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

Promoting multilateral cooperation

All three nations spoke highly of China's positive efforts and constructive role in dealing with major issues such as the global financial crisis and climate change.

Li agreed with the leaders from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to further promote negotiation, coordination and cooperation in coping with major issues and in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Deepening understanding of China

In his speech to Australian industrial and business leaders, Li made a comprehensive introduction of China's stand and achievement in countering the global financial crisis.

He made clear China's sticking to a path of peaceful development and its adherence to a strategy of opening up that is mutually beneficial.

Li also advanced a three-point proposal on consolidating the China-Australia relationship, which included observing China-Australia relations from a strategic perspective, promoting pragmatic bilateral cooperation in trade and the economy based upon the two countries' complementary strengths, and advancing cultural exchanges in a harmonious and friendly fashion.

The Chinese leader also conducted extensive exchanges with government leaders, managers from enterprises, institutions of higher education, research bodies and media during his visit.

According to He, Li's visit to Papua New Guinea was a show of China's positive attitude toward strengthening relations with Pacific island nations.

China and the Pacific island nations share many common interests and are firm supporters of each other in various major global and regional issues and in international organizations such as the U.N., He said.

China's relations with the Pacific island nations have developed rapidly in recent years, and constitute an important part of China's relationship with other developing countries, He said, adding that two-way trade volume reached 1.76 billion U.S. dollars in 2008.

He said China has been providing a series of economic and technical assistance to countries having established diplomatic relations with China in the region.

China has helped them in infrastructure construction, sent professionals to the region to help develop their economy and carried out numerous training programs, He said.

All those efforts are strong proof that the development of the relationship between China and the Pacific island nations is beneficial to all and has a promising future, He said.