Chinese President Hu Jintao met?in Sydney?Friday with Australia's Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd, expressing the hope the Labor will continue to promote the all-round development of the Sino-Australian relations.

In recent years, Hu said, bilateral relations have witnessed great progress, with fruitful cooperation in economic and trade, culture, education, science and technology, Hu said.

China will continue to view bilateral ties from the strategic and long-term perspective and is ready to work with the Australian side to push forward bilateral cooperation to a new level, he added.

The Chinese president also expressed appreciation for the Labor Party's policy towards China, saying that China will never forget Labor's historical contribution to the development of the Sino-Australian ties.

Rudd said his party now attaches even greater importance to bilateral ties and will continue to promote their long-term development and closer bilateral cooperation in such spheres as economy, trade, energy, education, culture and the hosting of the Olympic Games.

Hu also briefed Rudd China's stance on the Taiwan question. He said the secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" seekers severely undermine not only China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

"We must firmly oppose such activities," Hu told the Labor leader.

Rudd, for his part, said the Labor Party has been firmly pursuing the one China policy and the stance will not change.

He said that the secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" seekers are harmful to regional security, and that his party opposes "Taiwan independence" as well as the Taiwan authorities' activities seeking "a referendum on UN membership".

The Chinese president arrived in Sydney from Canberra on Wednesday to attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He is also paying a state visit to Australia.
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(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)