Before attending Thursday's reception marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Australia and New Zealand, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress met with the two nations' ambassadors to China.

During the meeting, Li noted that he visited Australia in September of this year and that he has visited New Zealand twice in the past decade. Li said that, as Asia-Pacific nations, China's relations with the two countries, especially with regard to trade and economic ties, have seen great progress over the past 30 years.He expressed his hope that bilateral relations with both countries will be further enhanced by this year's commemoration events.

Australian Ambassador to China David Taylor Irvine said the achievements made in Australia-China ties can be attributed to years of efforts from both sides and are thus valued by both.

New Zealand Ambassador John McKinnon expressed the hope that the two countries' cooperation will build on past achievements to register further progress in the coming years.

President Chen Haosu of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the two ambassadors addressed the 30th anniversary reception.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2002)