China, Australia start first-ever strategic dialogue

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-06-2008 10:54

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has met with senior Australian government officials in Canberra. Tuesday's meeting marks the first-ever strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Yaping)

Yang Jiechi met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who speaks Mandarin, and with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

The two sides agreed that the establishment of the strategic bilateral dialogue successfully advances Sino-Australian ties. They said the partnership has entered a new era.

They expressed their wish to expand cooperation in various fields. At the news conference that followed the talks, Yang Jiechi said he expected a growth in bilateral trade would benefit both sides.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Yaping)

Yang Jiechi said, "China and Australia have much trade in energy and mineral resources. I think that it is a mutually beneficial relationship and I expect it to grow because it will help to translate the latent advantages of both economies into real ones."

Smith criticized Taiwan's decision to hold a referendum on UN membership, calling it "completely inappropriate".

Australian FM Stephen Smith said, "We adhere absolutely to our one China policy, and we are very concerned to ensure that action is not taken in Taiwan or in the Taiwan Strait that referendum had not been proposed."

Yang Jiechi's visit to Australia is the first by a high-ranking Chinese official since Kevin Rudd's Labor government won power in November last year.

Editor:Zhang Ning