President Hu Jintao's just-concluded tour to Australia, a major diplomatic move by China in the Asia-Pacific region, is of great significance in facilitating the development of bilateral ties and deepening regional cooperation, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Monday.

 

During his seven-day tour, which started on Sept. 3, Hu paid a state visit to Australia and attended the 15th Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Sydney.

 

President Hu Jintao (R Front) attends the second-day session of the 15th Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Sydney, Australia, on September 9, 2007.

 

The president's visit has yielded fruitful results in various aspects, Yang told reporters on the way back to Beijing.

 

China-Australia ties boosted

 

Hu's successful state visit to Australia has achieved the goal of promoting mutual understanding and deepening cooperation between the two countries.

 

China and Australia have agreed to strengthen mutual political trust, deepen trade and economic cooperation, broaden humanistic exchanges and enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

 

The two sides will jointly push forward the in-depth development of their relationship of comprehensive cooperation.

 

Hu and Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced the establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism between the two countries,

 

China and Australia also issued a joint declaration on climate change and energy, and signed a series of agreements and contracts in the fields of trade and economy, energy, justice and culture, which have raised their mutually-beneficial and practical cooperation to a new level.

 

Australian leaders said China's development is conducive to Australia and the world as a whole, adding that they will continue to contribute to the two countries' cooperation in various areas.

 

Facilitating regional cooperation

 

During the visit, Hu expounded the Chinese government's policy and stance on major issues concerning the regional and global interests.

 

In a speech delivered at the APEC meeting, the Chinese president put forward four proposals on tackling climate change, including ways of strengthening cooperation, pursuing sustainable development and promoting scientific and technological innovation.

 

The Chinese president also proposed the setting up of the Asia-Pacific Network on Forest Rehabilitation and Sustainable Management.

 

He spoke of China's measures, achievements and targets in controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

 

It is the first time for the Chinese government to put forward substantial and pragmatic proposals on climate change at an international meeting.

 

On regional economic integration, Hu said China is ready to work with other members to play a constructive role and move the Doha Round negotiations toward a comprehensive and balanced outcome at an early date.

 

APEC members should promote regional economic integration at various levels and by various means, Hu said.

 

At the APEC Business Summit, Hu put forward a five-point proposal, calling for the promotion of balanced world economic growth, the establishment of a sound multilateral trading regime, ensuring stable energy supply, the maintenance of a sound natural environment, and the advancement in science, technology and education.

 

China's domestic, foreign policies

 

In his speech at the APEC meeting, Hu said China is committed to pursuing development in an open environment and achieving common prosperity of all countries through mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

He said China takes an active part in regional economic cooperation and promotes trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

China will continue to transform the pattern of trade growth, increase import and strengthen protection of intellectual property rights to ensure coordinated and balanced growth of import and export and contribute to the sustainable growth of global trade, he added.

 

He said China takes quality and safety of its export products very seriously and follows a highly responsible approach toward it.

 

China is willing to step up cooperation in product quality and safety with other parties to improve quality and guarantee safety in international trade, Hu said.

 

Boosting friendly ties with APEC members

 

On the sidelines of the APEC meeting, President Hu met with leaders of nine APEC member economies, and reached consensus with them on further strengthening bilateral friendly cooperation and enhancing coordination on international and regional issues.

 

Hu had an in-depth exchange of views with US President George W. Bush on promoting the constructive and cooperative ties as well as economic and trade cooperation between their two countries.

 

President Hu discussed with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on enhancing the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, particularly their strategic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reviewed the sound development of the all-round Sino-Japanese ties and agreed to push forward their strategic relationship for mutual benefit.

 

When meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, the two leaders agreed to deepen the partnership of all-around cooperation between the two countries and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia.

 

Hu and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discussed ways of expanding cooperation in energy, strengthening their strategic partnership of good-neighborliness and promoting the development of strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

When meeting with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, they said progress has been achieved in the joint development of the South China Sea by China, the Philippines and Vietnam, and the two leaders hoped the three parties would continue to cooperate in the next phase and enhance cooperation to make substantial progress at an early date.

 

Hu and Prime Minister Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea (PNG) agreed to jointly push forward the friendly relationship between China and PNG as well as with other South Pacific nations.

 

At talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Hu and Clark agreed to strive for an early conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) talks between their two countries.

 

Hu and Peruvian President Alan Garcia agreed to launch bilateral FTA negotiations.

 

President Hu also exchanged views with leaders of the APEC members on global trade, climate change, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear issue and Sudan's Darfur issue so as to seek proper settlement of them.

 

Winning support from int'l community on Taiwan issue

 

During talks with leaders of Australia, the United States and Russia, President Hu reiterated that the Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

The Taiwan authorities flagrantly renewed separatist acts, such as tabling the proposal of "referendum on UN membership" and "joining the UN under the name of Taiwan," which severely undermine not only China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also peace and stability in the region.

 

The leaders have reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China policy and expressed opposition to Taiwan authorities' activities seeking "a referendum on UN membership."

 

Hu said China, with great sincerity, will do its utmost to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and promote a healthy development of cross-straits relations.

 

"The Chinese government will never allow anyone to attempt to separate Taiwan from its motherland by any means," he added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2007)