On April 3, 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met respectively with Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery, Labor Party leader Kim Beazley and State of Queensland Premier Peter Beatie in Canberra.
When meeting with Jeffery, Wen indicated that bilateral relations have entered a stage of sustainable, steady and sound development and both countries have defined the goal of developing comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century, which reflects the maturity of bilateral relations. Both sides should become a model of peaceful coexistence for countries with different social systems, historical and cultural background. It is required that both sides strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic dialogue, remove issues existing in the process of developing bilateral relations and try to ensure that bilateral relations will not be affected by a short period or a single incident. Both sides should also strengthen comprehensive economic cooperation, complement each other's advantages and realize mutual benefits. It is also very important for the two countries to strengthen exchanges in the area of humanities. China is an ancient, but new country, while Australia a new and prosperous one. The two cultures share one common ground that is diversity, openness and tolerance. Both sides can build up mutual understanding, trust and friendship through cultural and educational exchanges.
Wen emphasized that China views the development of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and would like to work with Australia to deepen bilateral cooperation, bring benefits to both peoples and make greater contributions to peace, stability and development of Asia-Pacific region.
Jeffery recalled his visit to China last year with delight. He said that China's time-honored history, splendid culture and rapid development deeply impressed him. Australian people hope to gain a better understanding of China and would like to strengthen friendly cooperative relations with China. Both sides should give play to their respective advantages and enhance cooperation in the areas of economy & trade, energy & mineral resources and education. Both sides can also conduct joint research in the fields of environmental protection, water resources and renewable energy resources.
When meeting with Beazley, Wen said that the Labor Party has made outstanding contributions to developing bilateral relations. In 1972, under the leadership of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, the then Labor government made a historic decision to establish diplomatic ties with China, which has shown farsightedness of the Labor Party. Over the years, the Labor Party, whether in power or not, has actively committed to advancing bilateral friendly cooperative relations. Today's Labor Party led by Beazley has equally advocated putting bilateral relations at a top priority, which China appreciates
Wen indicated that in recent years both sides have conducted effective cooperation in broad areas with bilateral relations kept closer. Now both sides have proposed a higher objective for the development of bilateral relations that is to jointly commit to developing comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century. This is a necessity in development of bilateral relations and is conducive to peace and prosperity of Asia-Pacific region. China would like to work with Australian people of all circles, either in or out of government, including the Labor Party to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
Beazley noted that China's role in the world is completely constructive and the Australian Labor Party resolutely supports Australia to develop cooperative relations with China and would like to strengthen party-to-party exchanges with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and make new contributions to development of bilateral relations.
When meeting with Beatie, Wen said that China is the second largest trading partner of the State of Queensland. In recent years, substantive bilateral cooperation has been strengthened. The State of Queensland holds an important status in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China supports businesses of both sides to further conduct cooperation and expand it into the areas of clean energy, mine safe production, education and tourism. This cooperation is absolutely equal and mutually beneficial. The responsibility of the government is to create facilitation for mutual investment between businesses and ensure a fair, open, transparent and reasonable market order.
Beatie said that the State of Queensland actively seeks to establish the partnership of mutually beneficial cooperation with China, welcomes and supports Chinese businesses to invest in this state and conduct multiple forms of cooperation. This state hopes to conduct cooperation with China in clean coal, biotechnology and other areas.
On the afternoon of the same day, Wen also met in the hotel where he stayed with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Australia and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Australia.