The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will further strengthen exchanges with the Australian parliament at all levels to promote mutual understanding and friendship between peoples of the two countries, said top legislator Wu Bangguo in Beijing Tuesday.  

At a meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Wu said the frequent and fruitful exchanges between parliamentarians of the two countries in recent years have played an important role in promoting the overall development of the relations between the two countries.

He cited the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed Monday evening between the two countries on Australia's recognition of China's full market economy status and the commencement of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement.

"This is a great event in bilateral relations and economic and trade cooperation, and will inject new vigor into the development of bilateral relations," said Wu, chairman of the NPC National Committee.

Trade between the two countries exceeded US$20 billion last year. China is now Australia's third largest trade partner, second largest export market and second largest source of imports.

Wu said China will work with Australia to push forward long-term and steady growth of bilateral economic and trade cooperation in line with the principle of mutual benefit and mutual reconciliation.

China appreciates the Australian government's adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence," Wu said, hoping the Australian side will further consolidate such a political basis for bilateral relationship.

Howard, who arrived here Monday afternoon for a working visit, said Australia and China have made progress in promoting bilateral relations and remarkable achievements in economic and trade cooperation over the past few years.

He called the signing of the MOU an important step to further bilateral relations and cooperation, saying Australia will expand economic and trade cooperation with China.

The Australian government will, as always, abide by the one-China policy and does not support any activities toward "Taiwan independence," said Howard, hoping the two parliaments would make new progress in exchanges and cooperation.

This is Howard's fifth visit to China as prime minister.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2005)