For better Sino-Australian relations

It has been thirty years since China and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1972. Thirty years is but a brief flash in the course of history, but remarkable achievements in mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields have been made between our two countries. High-level visits between the two are so frequent that they have become regular events; it is particularly auspicious that leaders from both sides meet and talk directly and better understand each other's circumstances. The volume of two-way trade has increased enormously to nearly 9 billion US dollars in 2001. China has become Australia's third largest trade partner now. Mutual direct investment has reached a new high, and continues to gain new momentum. Economic and technical cooperation between the two countries is developing more steadily in breadth and depth. Consultations on political, security and other issues are continuing in a more in-depth manner. We are happy to learn that the two governments recently agreed to reinvigorate all these activities. Exchanges on education and culture are becoming richer and more varied in content, while contacts between the two peoples have increased rapidly. All these are testimony to the goodwill and efforts of our two governments and peoples. We have just stepped into the 21st century. This is a good time to review the past, draw on experience and lessons, and look into the future of our bilateral relations, so as to better meet the new opportunities and challenges. With the benefit of hindsight, I believe we will be able to get a clearer vision and keener sense of direction to push the overall bilateral relationship to a new level.