Australia sees China as a constructive partner to work with to break the stalemate in the Doha round of trade talks, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Thursday.

Rudd, in Beijing to attend the Olympics opening ceremony, believes it is time for state leaders to pick up from where negotiators fell short to resolve the small issues still thwarting a final deal.

"I believe China, together with Australia, has an opportunity to try and still pull a good outcome from the trade negotiations out of the fire," Rudd said in an interview with China Daily and CCTV presenter Rui Chenggang, a long-time friend of the former diplomat to Beijing.

He said China played a very constructive role in the recent talks in Geneva. "Robert Zoellick (former US trade representative) has spoken a lot about China as a responsible stakeholder. China, I think, at the posture of Geneva at the Doha talks recently, gave evidence of that."

Undeterred by the enduring stalemate, Rudd remains sanguine about getting over the final hurdles following conversations with major decision-makers.

"I think most of the negotiators would regard it as having been 90 percent agreed. It is 10 percent where the problems came in, in particular, over the appropriate protections for sensitive agricultural issues in developing countries. That's where the progress needs to occur.

Rudd also visited the athletes' home and praised the Olympic Village's good view and facilities on Thursday.

"The village is very beautiful," said Rudd at the flag-raising ceremony for his country in the village.

Rudd also toured the athletes' residential buildings which are decorated with Kangaroo toys. His visit has boosted the morale of athletes, including star swimmer Ian Thorpe.

Tamsin Barnett, a beach volleyball player, said: "It is so exciting to have him here. His presence makes us feel at home. It is important and a big honor."

(China Daily August 8, 2008)