Premier Li Keqiang said China is willing to enhance political mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Australia from a long-term and strategic perspective while properly handling differences between the two countries to boost bilateral ties.

He made the remarks while holding the annual China-Australia prime ministers’ meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Nov 21.

Promoting cooperation between China and Australia, two important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, is in the interest of both countries and conducive to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, Premier Li noted.

Sino-Australian cooperation has a promising future and China is ready to work with Australia to push for implementation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations by the end of this year, the Premier added.

China wants to increase mutual investment, welcomes more Australian companies to invest in China and hopes Australia can facilitate Chinese investment, the Premier said.

The two sides should conduct production cooperation on energy, infrastructure, equipment manufacturing and seas, explore cooperation in the third party market, and seek cooperation in new areas, Premier Li said.

People-to-people exchanges should also be increased and Australia’s New Colombo Plan for students’ overseas study should be expanded in China, the Premier said.

The government of the two countries needs to take measures to facilitate local mutual visits and pragmatic cooperation, Premier pointed out.

Premier Li said that given the weak recovery of world economy, it is a hard-won achievement that China’s economic growth remains at a reasonable range.

“We will continue to advance structural reform and adjustment and forge new economic driving forces, promoting a long-term, stable, and healthy economic development. China will be further open, providing a new opportunity for China-Australia cooperation,” the Premier said.

Turnbull noted that cooperation between China and Australia is getting deeper and bilateral relations are getting closer. The China-Australia FTA is a significant step for the development of bilateral relations and brings mutual benefits to both countries.

He said that Australia thinks highly of the Chinese government’s efforts in pushing forward reform, stimulating social vitality, integrating world’s economy, and developing green economy, which are beneficial to global development.

Australia is willing to make joint efforts with China to further enhance mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, humanity, defense, urbanization, and judicial enforcement, lifting China-Australia relations to a higher level and benefiting both countries and peoples, he said.

Both sides also exchanged views on climate change and other issues of common interest.