Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on China and Australia to continue to work together and jointly help counter global instability through steady development and cooperation in a signed article published Wednesday. [Special coverage]
"We have seen in practice how the trend of economic globalization has become closely interconnected with, even inseparable from, peace, development and cooperation," said the Chinese premier in the article titled "We want to work with you for progress and peace" carried by the Australian newspaper The Australian, ahead of his visit to the country.
Li left Beijing on Wednesday morning for official visits to Australia and New Zealand, the first such by a Chinese premier to the two Oceanian countries in 11 years.
"We stand ready to work with other countries to support economic globalization and free trade, improve the global governance system and facilitate progress of mankind," he said.
"I am fully confident that China and Australia will continue to move forward in our own way while working with each other, and jointly help to counter global instability with the stability that is created through our steady development and cooperation," said the Chinese premier.
Li also praised the progress made in the development of China-Australia relations.
"Over the past 45 years of our diplomatic ties, rising above differences in national conditions and systems, China and Australia have gradually built up trust and properly managed disagreements in the spirit of equality and mutual respect. Bilateral relations and cooperation, as a result, have made substantial and steady progress," Li wrote.
The Chinese premier stressed it as a shared desire of China, Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific to enjoy stability and order, development and prosperity, and continued regional integration. He called for joint efforts and cooperation between the countries to this end.
"Under the current circumstances, China and Australia should follow the region's trend of peace, development and cooperation, join hands to take concrete actions and send positive signals to stabilize market expectations, convey confidence and contribute our share to the region and beyond," Li said.
