China's National People's Congress (NPC) is willing to widen exchanges with the Australian parliament and its members to promote understanding and cooperation, NPC Standing Committee Chairman Li Peng said in Beijing Tuesday.

At a meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Beijing, Li said the relationship between China and Australia has grown steadily over the past three decades. The consensus reached between leaders of both countries on a healthy, stable relationship of all-round cooperation has laid a foundation for a wide range of bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Li noted that person-to-person visits between the two countries remained friendly in recent years. Communication and cooperation in international affairs had also improved.

He said the NPC greatly values friendly exchanges and cooperation with the Australian parliament, and such contact has played an important role in boosting bilateral ties.

Howard said he was glad to visit China once more on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He agreed with Li on the growth of bilateral ties, saying bilateral ties have changed significantly since he last visited China.

Looking ahead, he said, Australia is confident of friendly cooperation with China. He congratulated China on Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, adding that Australia would offer Beijing strong support for hosting the Games.

He also expressed the wish to widen bilateral trade and economic links.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2002)