economic development on the world. President Hu primarily introduced China's macroeconomic situation and fundamental policies of implementing the scientific concept of development and striving to achieve the comprehensive economic and social growth. Hu expressed that China always sticks to a strategy featuring openness, mutual benefits and win-win results, supports the establishment of a fair and rational multilateral trade system, actively participates in regional economic cooperation, and promotes the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. Hu pointed out that China will continue to transform the development mode of foreign trade, actively expand import, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, and propel the coordinated and balanced growth of export and import. Hu stressed that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to improving product quality and ensuring food safety and has adopted a series of major measures. China wishes to work with other APEC members to expand cooperation and improve product quality and safety in international trade. These remarks received high attention from other countries and were widely covered by the media. President Hu's introduction increased the comprehensive understanding of the international community on China's peaceful, scientific and harmonious development.

IV. Engaging in high-level diplomacy and strengthening friendly ties with other countries

During the informal meeting, President Hu met with leaders of nine Asia-Pacific countries and reached wide consensus on strengthening bilateral friendly cooperation and enhancing coordination and cooperation in regional and international issues. President Hu had an in-depth exchange of views with U.S. President George W. Bush on promoting the constructive and cooperative ties and advancing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. President Hu discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on enhancing China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, particularly the strategic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke positively of the sound development of China-Japan ties and agreed to consolidate the pleasing momentum of improved bilateral ties and push forward the strategic relationship for mutual benefit so as to ensure bilateral ties toward a healthy and stable direction. President Hu and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun agreed to take the opportunity of the 15th anniversary of bilateral ties to deepen the partnership of all-round cooperation between the two countries and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. Hu and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discussed ways of expanding cooperation in energy, developing and strengthening the strategic partnership of good-neighborliness and promoting the development of strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). President Hu and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo agreed that phased progress has been achieved in the joint development of the South China Sea by China, the Philippines and Viet Nam, and hoped the three parties would continue to cooperate in the next phase and enhance cooperation toward substantial outcome at an early date. Hu and Prime Minister Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea agreed to jointly push forward the friendly relationship between the two countries and with other South Pacific nations. President Hu and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark agreed to strive for an early conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) talks between the two countries and the improvement of the comprehensive cooperative relations between China and New Zealand. Hu and Peruvian President Alan Garcia declared launching bilateral FTA negotiations. President Hu also exchanged views with leaders of other APEC members on global trade, climate change, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear issue and Sudan's Darfur issue so as to find proper solutions to these issues.

V. Expounding China's solemn position on Taiwan and winning support from international community on the Taiwan question

During talks with leaders of Australia, the United States and Russia, President Hu reiterated that the Taiwan question concerns China's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests. The Taiwan authorities flagrantly renewed separatist acts, such as tabling the proposal of "referendum on UN membership" and "joining the UN in the name of Taiwan," which severely undermine not only China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also peace and stability in the region. The leaders have reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China policy and expressed opposition to Taiwan authorities' activities seeking "a referendum on UN membership." During the meeting with the overseas Chinese, Hu said that China, with great sincerity, will do its utmost to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and promote a healthy development of cross-strait relations. China will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the motherland by any means. This is warmly echoed and strongly supported by the domestic public and overseas compatriots.

Yang Jiechi said that President Hu's trip is a major diplomatic move before the convening of the 17th CPC National Congress and it is of great significance to promoting the development of China-Australia relations, deepening regional cooperation in Asia Pacific and advancing the overall diplomatic situation in China.

(Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn)