On August 21, 2006, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met with Clerk of the Australian House of Representatives Ian Harris and his delegation, who were here in China at the invitation of the National People's Congress.

He said currently the two sides are actively implementing the achievements of Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Australia and bilateral ties have made new progress. He congratulated on the signing of a memorandum of understanding between China's NPC and the Australian House of Representatives to establish a regular exchange mechanism. He added China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Australian parliament to promote comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century.

Harris agreed with He's positive remarks on bilateral ties, adding that the Australian parliament will actively support mutually beneficial cooperation and is ready to further strengthen exchanges with China's NPC and build up the friendship between the two peoples. Harris reaffirmed his country resolutely pursues the one-China policy and hopes to see China's peaceful reunification.