Australian PM arrives today for bilateral talks

As the worldwide 2008 Olympic torch relay approaches Australia - set to arrive on April 24 on the 15th leg of its journey - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd begins a four-day official visit to China today.

It is Rudd's first State visit to China after his inauguration in December. He was previously stationed in Beijing as part of the Australian diplomatic corps and speaks fluent Chinese.

"This prime minister's visit will focus on important areas of the bilateral ties, including climate change and the trade relationship," Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to China, told China Daily yesterday.

Both influential countries have seen increasingly close cooperation, particularly in energy and the environment, with leaders of the two nations releasing a joint statement on climate change last year.

"We hope to be able to work more closely with China bilaterally through trade, investment and collaborative research, and multilaterally through international mechanisms to address this important world climate problem," the ambassador said.

As well, Raby said he is hopeful that "a bilateral free trade agreement will further expand and deepen our already very substantial relationship".

Yet like many countries, Australia and China have different perspectives on various issues, a reflection of their very different social and political systems.

"There are issues on which we have differences, but we have established good mechanisms to discuss those issues," Raby said, noting the best way to address differences is constructive engagement and dialog.

Cultural exchange

The ambassador notes that the nations have a "very active and growing cultural relationship" illustrated by the Australian Writers' Week of March 9 to 14 in China, when seven Australian authors gave lectures and joined forums in Beijing and Chengdu.

The theme of the exchange was Australians writing about the world - to emphasize that the continent has a unique perspective on important global issues and a strong intellectual contribution to make, the ambassador said.

Other cultural activities have included an exhibition of indigenous Australian batiks at the National Art Museum of China last month, an exhibition of Australian and Chinese artists who have been working in one another's countries and an Australian Theater Festival last year.

Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Chinese citizens as well as a country where more and more Chinese students choose to study overseas.

"There is no doubt that such close people-to-people links between Australia and China help promote understanding between our two peoples, and we strongly encourage those links to continue," Raby said.

The ambassador said the Chinese are one of the largest and most vibrant ethnic communities in Australia, and Chinese Australians make important contributions in virtually all areas of Australia's cultural, economic and political life. Chinatowns thrive in all major cities, home to countless Chinese businesses and institutions.

Australia's Chinese community has contributed significantly to make Australia the successful, culturally diverse nation it is today, Raby added.

"This is a very challenging and rewarding posting as ambassador to China and I am very much enjoying being able to witness first-hand the remarkable development that China is going through," Raby said.

"I hope to be able to contribute to the future development and expansion of our already-excellent bilateral relationship."

Torch relay

"I wish China all the best for the forthcoming Olympic Games," said the ambassador from the nation that hosted the 2000 Games.

As the Sydney Olympics celebrated Australia as a successful, modern, culturally diverse society, so will the Beijing Games showcase modern China and its achievements, Raby said.

"The Olympic torch relay brings people together," he added, noting the torch will spend almost 37 hours in Canberra. Thousands of Australians are expected to turn out for its passage through the city and attend a final celebration.

Australian torchbearers represent all walks of life, drawn from the Olympic movement as well as the wider Australian arts, business and science communities.

"The Beijing Olympic torch relay provides us with a valuable opportunity to showcase the beauty of Australia, and particularly our national capital, to a global audience," Raby said.

"As Australia's national capital and the sister city of Beijing, Canberra is proud and excited to have been given the privilege of hosting the torch relay for our nation."

(China Daily 04/09/2008 page18)