Parliamentary exchanges between China and Australia will help
deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries and
promote regional cooperation, National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee Chairman Wu
Bangguo said in Beijing Wednesday.
Wu made the remark during a meeting with Paul Henry Calvert,
president of the Senate of the Australian Federal Parliament, in
the Great Hall of the People.
Wu said the current visit would further strengthen relations
between the NPC and the Australian parliament and he welcomed more
parliament members to visit, saying that the NPC is ready to expand
multi-level communications through various channels. He hoped that
the two sides could exchange ideas on the development of
market-oriented legislation and add new impetus to bilateral
relations.
Wu made positive comments on the evolution of those relations,
noting that the frequent exchange of visits has helped deepen
political trust and promote cooperation in trade, economy and other
areas.
Wu said the visit of President Hu Jintao
to Australia last October had ushered Sino-Australian relations to
a new stage. He said China is ready to work with Australia to
expand the all-round cooperative relations of mutual trust,
long-term friendship, and mutual benefits and advances for both
peoples.
Wu said the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of China and the patriotism of 1.3 billion
Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan. He said China
appreciates the stance of the Australian government and parliament
on the one-China policy and their opposition to Taiwan
independence. He said this is not only in the common interests of
both countries, but also conducive to peace and stability in the
Asia Pacific region.
Calvert expressed satisfaction on the momentum of bilateral
cooperation in such areas as trade, economy, science, technology,
culture, education and raw materials. He reiterated that the
Australian government and parliament's stance the one-China policy
has never been and will not be changed.
(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2004)