Chinese and Australian law makers held a bilateral conference in Canberra on Wednesday to exchange views on issues including the Sino-Australian ties, the Taiwan issue and regional topics.

The conference was the first to be held under a bilateral parliamentary exchange conference mechanism set up in August last year.

Sheng Huaren, visiting vice-chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, told the one-day conference that China and Australia are two key players in the Asia and Pacific region, sharing interests in maintaining regional peace and promoting development.

The Chinese government always sees the Sino-Australian relations from a strategic perspective and regards Australia as a good friend and partner in seeking mutual benefit and cooperation, Sheng said.

The Australian delegation, led by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ian Causley, echoed Sheng's remarks on the bilateral relations and expressed the hope to further enhance exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese side also expressed appreciation over Australia's adherence to the one China policy and its opposition to the "Taiwan independence." The Australian delegation said Australia will support China's cause of peaceful reunification and Australia stands firm on the one China policy.

Both sides highlighted the role of parliaments in advancing the Sino-Australian relations, agreeing to hold the next exchange conference in China at a time to be fixed.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2007)