Chinese FM calls for enhanced ties with Australia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 17, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and Australia to strengthen ties in various fields as he and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop co-chaired the third round of bilateral diplomatic and strategic dialogue on Wednesday in Beijing.

The China-Australia relationship is facing significant opportunities, Wang said, urging both sides to further political mutual trust, expand mutual-beneficial cooperation, respect each other's core interests and add new content to bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two countries can enhance integration and docking between their major development initiatives and strategies, as well as open up new areas for economic cooperation since a free trade agreement has come into force, he said.

The minister called on Australia to provide easier services for Chinese tourists to promote people-to-people exchanges.

China also wants to deepen defense cooperation and law-enforcement cooperation with Australia.

Wang urged the two countries to enhance coordination and cooperation in the United Nations, G20 (Group of 20) and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).

Speaking highly of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Bishop said Australia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and on global affairs.

The two sides exchanged views on South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and agreed that maintaining regional peace, stability is in line with common interests of both countries and the international community.