Chinese president calls for new momentum in ties with Australia

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping called for new momentum to be injected to bilateral ties with Australia when he met Governor-General Quentin Bryce in Beijing on Thursday.

China and Australia are good friends and strategic partners. As important members in the Asia-Pacific region, the two countries share growing mutual interests and potential for cooperation, Xi told Bryce, who is on a state visit to China.

"Both sides should proceed from a strategic and long-term perspective to create a new chapter in bilateral cooperation in the spirit of mutual trust and benefit," Xi said.

Xi suggested China and Australia work in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation and show flexibility to facilitate the bilateral free trade agreement talks towards breakthrough at an early date.

The two countries should actively expand cooperation in emerging fields, including energy and resources, infrastructure, financial services, energy efficiency and environmental protection, clean energy and biomedicine, according to Xi.

Both sides should also have closer partnership in education, tourism, science and technology as well as youth exchanges, Xi said. He also called for further cooperation within the UN, G20, APEC and other multilateral mechanisms.

Welcoming Bryce to attend the 14th Western China International Fair, Xi said Western China is a new powerhouse for the Chinese economy, which will bring broad opportunities to Australia.

"China welcomes more Australian investment in Western China to realize mutual development," Xi said.

Australia and China share traditional friendship. China is an important partner of Australia, while Australia is a stable supplier of energy and resources to China. The two countries enjoy broad common interests and prospects for cooperation, Bryce said.

Hailing China's development as an important contribution to the prosperity of the region and world, Bryce said her country admires China's achievement and attaches importance to bilateral ties.

Australia is willing to make full use of their complementary advantages with China, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and reach bilateral free trade agreement as soon as possible, Bryce said.

Australia will strengthen cooperation with Western China, have closer communication and coordination in cultural exchanges, international and regional affairs so as to promote the bilateral ties to a higher level, Bryce said.