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US vice-president Joe Biden to visit Aust'n city of Melbourne

Xinhua, July 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Melbourne this weekend as part of a three-day tour of Australia and New Zealand, as announced by the state government on Wednesday.

In Melbourne, Biden will attend the official opening of Victoria's Comprehensive Cancer Centre -- the state's new 760 million U.S. dollar facility -- to promote the U.S.-Australia collaboration on cancer research.

The vice president works closely with several global cancer research projects, after his 46-year-old son, Beau, died of brain cancer in May last year.

Victoria's acting Premier, James Merlino, confirmed Biden's visit on Wednesday morning.

"Victoria has a long and close relationship with the United States and I know all Victorians will warmly welcome the vice president here in Melbourne," Merlino said in a state government media release.

"Victoria is a world leader in medical research, so it's fantastic that the vice president will be able to see the extraordinary work going on at the new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

"Victoria and the United States collaborate strongly across aerospace, medical research and information technology and this visit will help strengthen those ties for the years ahead."

Set to arrive on Saturday for a three-day visit, Biden will also tour the Boeing factory to see firsthand the making of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner project.

It has also been reported that Biden may attend an Australian Football League (AFL) match on Sunday, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), between the West Coast Eagles and Carlton Blues.

In 2011, during Barack Obama's visit to Australia, West Coast presented the president with his very own Eagles Guernsey, making him an honorary member of the AFL team.

The vice president will leave Melbourne on Monday to meet with Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney, before flying out to New Zealand next week. Endit