On May 22, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Australia relations and issues of common concern.

Zhu welcomed Howard to China for his third visit, which he believes fully demonstrates the great importance Howard attaches to developing China-Australia friendly cooperation. He said that China-Australia relations have been developing smoothly in the past three decades. In 1999, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Australia and reached consensus with Prime Minister Howard on developing sound and stable China-Australia relations of all-round cooperation. On that basis, China-Australia relations have scored more rapid development.

Zhu appreciated the fact that Howard has always promoted China-Australia friendly cooperation, and the Australian government adheres to the One- China policy and supports China's accession to the World Trade Organization. He expressed satisfaction with effective bilateral cooperation in international and regional affairs. He stressed that China has always laid store by the China-Australia relations and would like to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work with the Australian side to expand cooperation and promote the steady development of bilateral relations on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

On bilateral economic and trade relations, Zhu said that bilateral economic relations and trade have seen rapid expansion in recent years. Two-way trade totaled 9 billion U.S. dollars in 2001, 100 times the figure 30 years ago when the two countries established diplomatic relations. Australian entrepreneurs have invested directly in more than 4,000 projects in China, with a total investment of 2.4 billion U.S.dollars. There are also many Chinese-invested projects in Australia.

Zhu pointed out the economies of the two countries are highly complementary and share great potential for cooperation. He expressed the belief that with joint effort, the Sino-Australian trade and economic cooperation will achieve greater results and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

Howard expressed gladness to visit China again. He said that the visit gives him the chance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations together with the Chinese side. Bilateral relations have seen rapid expansion over the past three decades and especially during the past five years. People-to-people contacts are growing closer. The Australian government is satisfied with that. Australia congratulates China on winning the host of the 2008 Olympic Games and is willing to help China to prepare for the Olympic Games. Australia values China influence and role in regional and international affairs, and admires the robust development of the Chinese economy. Australia would like to further explore and expand the areas of cooperation with China.

In order to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation and set and plan for the direction and priority of bilateral economic cooperation and trade for the coming years, the two sides agreed to hold consultations on a proposal for signing a framework agreement to promote Sino-Australian economic and trade relations.

Zhu also briefed Howard on China's economic development at the latter's request.