Chinese vice premier meets Australia's Queensland premier

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said here Saturday that China and Australia can lift their bilateral relationship to a new level through a strengthened dialogue and increased cooperation between the two trading partners.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Premier of Australia's State of Queensland Anna Bligh in Brisbane Oct. 31, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)

Li spoke during a meeting with Anna Bligh, the premier of Australia's state of Queensland.

The vice premier said that during his visit to Australia a consensus was reached to enhance the Chinese-Australian friendship, to deepen mutual beneficial cooperation, and to respect and care for each other's core interests and important concerns.

He also said the two sides released a joint declaration and signed a number of cooperation agreements.

Meanwhile, China has attached great importance to friendly cooperation with the state of Queensland, said Li, adding that exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have developed rapidly in recent years.