Chinese and Australian senior officials agreed in Beijing Thursday to further law enforcement cooperation.

Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang spoke highly of the fruitful Sino-Australian cooperation in cracking down on cross-border crimes and prohibiting illegal immigrants and illegal border crossing during a meeting with Amanda Vanstone, minister for Aboriginal and minister assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation.

Zhou, also state councilor and member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said he was satisfied with the sound development of bilateral ties.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Australia to deepen the overall cooperation in the new century, Zhou said.

Vanstone said that Australia is willing to work with China to promote law-enforcement cooperation and enhance cooperation in exchange of information, personnel and experience in safeguarding the Olympic Games.

Australia will be much more active in repatriating criminals to China, Vanstone noted.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2004)