Zhou Yongkang met with Australian Foreign Minister

March 27, 2009, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee, Zhou Yongkang, secretary of the Central Political and Legal Committee, met with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Smith.

Zhou Yongkang, the first visit to Australia in November last year during the warm reception by the Australian government said. He said the current China-Australia relations have maintained good momentum of development in various fields of exchange and cooperation to bring the two peoples tangible benefits. Between law enforcement agencies in the fight against transnational organized crime, drug, law enforcement training, investigations and fruitful cooperation in such areas, can be a model for international law enforcement cooperation. Zhou Yongkang stressed that the international financial crisis, both China and Australia to the challenges, as well as cooperation between the two sides provides a new opportunity. With the Chinese government attaches importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation between Australia, the Australian side is willing to work with, will continue to proceed from a strategic perspective, strengthen dialogue and exchanges, expand pragmatic cooperation, and deepen cooperation in major international and regional issues on the communication and coordination, the mutually beneficial Sino-Australian total won all-round cooperative relations to a new level. Zhou pointed out that the March 28, will usher in our first "anniversary of the liberation of millions of serfs in Tibet." The implementation of democratic reforms in Tibet over the past 50 years, in economic and social development, religion and the protection of traditional culture and other fields has made great achievements attracting worldwide attention. I hope the Australian government from the overall situation of bilateral relations, continue to take a one-China principle, properly handle questions related to Tibet.

Smith said the Australian government attaches importance to developing relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and willing to work with China to strengthen high-level exchanges and dialogue, promoting bilateral economic and trade and investment cooperation in a wide range of areas more results.