Chinese President Hu Jintao talked with Australian Prime Minister John Howard on the phone on Wednesday over strengthening bilateral ties and fighting climate change.

Hu said Chinese-Australian relations are seeing a good momentum for development. Both sides have shown political respect for each other, carried out mutually beneficial economic cooperation, increased exchanges in a variety of areas and maintained contact and coordination on major international and regional issues, he said.

The Chinese president expressed China's readiness to work with Australia in promoting cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Hu will pay a state visit to Australia and attend the 15th APEC economic leaders' informal meeting in Sydney from Sept. 3-9.

On tackling climate change, Hu said the issue has a bearing on global sustainable growth and the well-being of mankind and that the Chinese government attaches great importance to combating climate change.

China supports the discussion on fighting climate change at this year's APEC meeting and hopes all sides, guided by the principles in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, can reach an agreement that is balanced and reflects their common ground.

Howard, for his part, said he looked forward to discussing with Hu ways to boost cooperation with China in a bid to further strengthen Australian-Chinese ties.

Australia, meanwhile, stands ready to work closely with China toward a positive outcome at the APEC meeting on tackling climate change, Howard said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)