Chinese President Hu Jintao met?in Sydney?Friday with
Australia's Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd, expressing the hope the
Labor will continue to promote the all-round development of the
Sino-Australian relations.
In recent years, Hu said, bilateral relations have witnessed
great progress, with fruitful cooperation in economic and trade,
culture, education, science and technology, Hu said.
China will continue to view bilateral ties from the strategic
and long-term perspective and is ready to work with the Australian
side to push forward bilateral cooperation to a new level, he
added.
The Chinese president also expressed appreciation for the Labor
Party's policy towards China, saying that China will never forget
Labor's historical contribution to the development of the
Sino-Australian ties.
Rudd said his party now attaches even greater importance to
bilateral ties and will continue to promote their long-term
development and closer bilateral cooperation in such spheres as
economy, trade, energy, education, culture and the hosting of the
Olympic Games.
Hu also briefed Rudd China's stance on the Taiwan question. He
said the secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" seekers
severely undermine not only China's sovereignty and territorial
integrity, but also peace and stability in the region and the world
at large.
"We must firmly oppose such activities," Hu told the Labor
leader.
Rudd, for his part, said the Labor Party has been firmly
pursuing the one China policy and the stance will not change.
He said that the secessionist activities of "Taiwan
independence" seekers are harmful to regional security, and that
his party opposes "Taiwan independence" as well as the Taiwan
authorities' activities seeking "a referendum on UN
membership".
The Chinese president arrived in Sydney from Canberra on
Wednesday to attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He
is also paying a state visit to Australia.
?
(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)
