BEIJING, July 29 -- Vice-minister Yu Hongjun of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee met today in Beijing with Mr. Peter Varghese AO, secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia upon the latter's request, and exchanged views with him on China-Australia relations.

Yu said that in the past 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral relations between China and Australia have seen comprehensive development with ever deepening integration of interests. In April this year, leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on establishing a strategic partnership and setting up a regular meeting mechanism between prime ministers of the two countries. Yu said that China is willing to maintain the momentum of exchanges with Australia at various levels and in different areas to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and realize common development.

Varghese said that Australia-China relations have entered a new and constructive period. Australia is willing to further implement consensus between the leaders to work with China to seek further progress of the strategic partnership and to benefit people of the two countries and in the Asia-Pacific region. He also said that whichever party wins the election will remain committed to deepening ties with China.

The two sides also exchanged views on situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

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