Interview: Australia FM sees much optimism about ties with China

Australia and China have strong relationship which extends beyond business and trade to envelop cultural understanding and appreciation of each other, according to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

"I have a lot of optimism about the China-Australia relationship," Bishop said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua, underlining there is a genuine friendship between the two nations.

"The Chinese-Australia relationship is very strong, and as foreign minister I have been committed to deepening and broadening and diversifying the relationship," she said at her Sydney office.

The interview was part of Xinhua's "Talk To China" series discussions with leaders from various sectors of Australia. It is aimed at strengthening conversations between the two countries.

"I believe that the high-level visits that have occurred between our two countries in recent times have reflected the strength of the commitment on both sides to enhance the relationship," Bishop said.

She said Chinese President Xi Jinping had a "very successful" visit to Australia last year. "Indeed he visited Tasmania and he can claim to have visited every Australian state and territory, and there are not too many world leaders who can claim that."

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was twice in China last year.

"So that was a very positive outcome for us. Also our trade and economic cooperation is increasing. China is by far our largest two-way trading partner, and investment from China is increasing. Our links are increasing all the time," Bishop said.

She also hailed the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement as a landmark one, saying "It marks a significant milestone in our economic relationship. We are now able to engage on the basis that sees trade and investment across all sectors of the Chinese and Australian economy."

Trade liberalization is about economic growth and job opportunities, but it also brings the two countries closer together, She added.

Bishop emphasized that communication is the key method for the two countries to solve the potential problems.

"We are different countries. China has different values and outlooks on some issues. Australia has different values and outlooks. We have different political systems. But we both want the best for the citizens of our respective countries. We both want to live in a more peaceful, more stable and more prosperous region. And so I think that the high-level discussions that we have between our leaders are very important," She said.

"Australia and China now has a framework in place with annual leaders' meetings, we have annual foreign ministers' meetings, all part of a structure that will enable these discussions to continue, " Bishop said.

She also spoke highly of the impending establishment of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), saying that Australia has signed up as a prospective founding member.

"There is a great need (for infrastructure) in our region, and in fact globally. So we support initiatives to help build the infrastructure that is required, and meet that infrastructure deficit," Bishop said.

"We are working with China and other countries to ensure that it (AIIB) has high standards of governance, and that it has accountability and transparency. And in particular we are wanting to ensure that the bank endures so that its foundations have to be strong."

Australia will encourage Australian young people to build friendships and networks that will last a lifetime in the Asia- Pacific region, Bishop said.

"It was an historic student plan called the Colombo Plan in the 1950s and 1960s and beyond that bought students from the region to Australia to study in our universities," she said.

"In 2014 we decided to introduce the New Colombo Plan, to send Australian students back to the region. So Australian undergraduates at all of our universities across Australia can apply for a grant, or a scholarship, to study at a university in the Indian Ocean, the Asia-Pacific region, including China."

In 2015, Australia invited more countries to join the Plan, she said, adding that China has accepted readily.

"This year there are approximately 600 Australian students studying in China under the program," and the number "will continue to grow." Endi