Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on bilateral relations in Beijing on Wednesday.
Han said that China-Australia relations have made significant progress over the past decade or so, which also witnessed ups and downs. China and Australia's adherence to treating each other as equals, seeking common ground and mutually beneficial cooperation while reserving differences, conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides, Han added.
He noted that China stands ready to work with Australia to implement the important common understanding reached by the leaders of both countries, hold on to the right direction for bilateral ties, strengthen alignment of development strategies, and enhance dialogue and exchanges, so as to build a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.
Penny Wong said that currently Australia-China relations have maintained a sound growth momentum, with steady progress in mutually beneficial cooperation, adding that Australia highly values its ties with China and will enhance communication and dialogue, expand pragmatic cooperation, and advance sustained development of bilateral relations.
Chinese vice president meets Australian foreign minister on bilateral ties
The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 22nd session on Thursday morning in Beijing.
At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to approve the revised Prison Law and Social Assistance Law, remove Han Jun from the post of minister of agriculture and rural affairs, appoint Zhang Zhu as the minister, and appoint Zhang Chengzhong as minister of emergency management.
President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders on the removal and appointments.
NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the closing meeting, which also approved a deputy qualification report.
The meeting adopted decisions on approving a treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Azerbaijan, and a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The legislators voted to remove Feng Yi from the post of deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, among other appointments and removals. Zhao presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.
The Standing Committee held an oath-taking ceremony to pledge allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People on the day.
China's top legislature concludes standing committee session
