Chinese President Hu Jintao talked with Australian Prime
Minister John Howard on the phone on Wednesday over strengthening
bilateral ties and fighting climate change.
Hu said Chinese-Australian relations are seeing a good momentum
for development. Both sides have shown political respect for each
other, carried out mutually beneficial economic cooperation,
increased exchanges in a variety of areas and maintained contact
and coordination on major international and regional issues, he
said.
The Chinese president expressed China's readiness to work with
Australia in promoting cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Hu will pay a state visit to Australia and attend the 15th APEC
economic leaders' informal meeting in Sydney from Sept. 3-9.
On tackling climate change, Hu said the issue has a bearing on
global sustainable growth and the well-being of mankind and that
the Chinese government attaches great importance to combating
climate change.
China supports the discussion on fighting climate change at this
year's APEC meeting and hopes all sides, guided by the principles
in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and
the Kyoto Protocol, can reach an agreement that is balanced and
reflects their common ground.
Howard, for his part, said he looked forward to discussing with
Hu ways to boost cooperation with China in a bid to further
strengthen Australian-Chinese ties.
Australia, meanwhile, stands ready to work closely with China
toward a positive outcome at the APEC meeting on tackling climate
change, Howard said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)
