Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping was at the Australian National University (ANU) Tuesday, donating books to the university's new center on China education and research.

Xi congratulated on the establishment of the Australian Center on China in the World. He said the ANU has strong academic achievements on China study, which played a positive role in enhancing all-rounded understandings of China by all walks of life in Australia and promoting more cultural exchanges and cooperations between the two countries.

Xi said the Australian government's decision in establishing such a center on China study and dedicating a huge amount of money for the research work has demonstrated Australia's strong desire to learn more about China. He said he believes the new center will become a brand new platform at a higher level to promote communications and exchanges.

Xi said the Chinese government has carefully selected those books for the center to show support to the center. He hoped the books will be of use and convenience to the research work. China will actively encourage its academic institutions to have deeper exchanges with the center and enhance mutual understanding and exchanges of the academics and think tanks in the two countries, he said.

He also said that he hopes the new center will make active contribution in promoting bilateral ties and people-to-people understanding and friendship.

Later on Tuesday, Vice-President Xi also participated in a ceremony to formally open the Australia-China Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials at ANU where he encouraged scientists in China and Australia to work closely together to address the global challenges in sustainable development.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said Vice President Xi' s participation today is the best way to recognize ANU's focus on cooperation with China over the years. He said this is the biggest encouragement for the university to build the world's first-class Australian Center on China in the World and the Joint Research Center for Functional Molecular Materials.

He added that the book gift given by the Chinese vice president will play an important role in better understanding China and promoting exchanges and friendly cooperation between Australia and China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2010)