Premier Wen arrives in Australia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Perth Saturday, kicking off his official visit to Australia.

Wen made the tour at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Australian Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources Ian Macfarlane, as Howard's representative, and other Australian senior officials greeted Wen at the airport.

In a written speech delivered at the airport, Wen said that China and Australia, both located in the Asia-Pacific region, share extensive common interests in many fields. "China-Australia relations now enjoy good momentum of growth; our trade ties are flourishing," he said, adding that the bilateral relations are solidly grounded and face new development opportunities.

"Fostering the all-round growth of China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples and enhances stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," he said.

"I am visiting Australia to further the development of China-Australia relations in all fields. I look forward to exchanging views with Prime Minister John Howard and other Australian leaders on China-Australia relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest," he said.

"I also look forward to entering into extensive contact with the Australian people to enhance understanding and friendship and promote the growth of China-Australia relationship of all-round cooperation," he said.

Australia is the first-leg of Wen's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Fiji, New Zealand and Cambodia. He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the first China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum and deliver a keynote speech.

China-Australia ties, in particular the bilateral trade, have seen rapid development. China is now Australia's second largest goods trading partner and its second largest overseas market. Energy and mineral products account for about 60 percent of Australia's exports to China, which has become Australian's largest buyer of iron ore and nickel.

Dual-track trade between the two countries hit 27.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.

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Premier Wen Jiabao leaves for visits to 4 countries

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing on Saturday morning on official visits to Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Cambodia from April 1 to 8.

During the visits, Wen will attend the opening ceremony of the first China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum to be held in Fiji.

Main members of the Premier's entourage include Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Director of Research Office of State Council Wei Liqun, Deputy Secretary-general of State Council You Quan, Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Director of the Premier's Office Qiu Xiaoxiong.

Wen Jiabao has been invited by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia John Howard, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Islands Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark and Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen.