"In the next 60 years, China will remain committed to the road of peaceful development and the opening up strategy of mutual benefit as it always sticks to," the Chinese ambassador to Australia said Tuesday.

"Sixty years which form a historical cycle in Chinese calendar mark a new beginning. Next 60 years will see China develop itself in a peaceful international environment, and in turn, safeguard and promote world peace and development with its own progress," Zhang Junsai told the audience at a reception marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of new China.

Noting that more than ever the relationship between China and Australia is getting close, Zhang told Xinhua, "China regards Australia as a partner of mutual benefit, therefore develops the relation with a strategic and long-term perspective."

He said the facts that China is Australia's largest source of imports and international students, and that China is the fastest growing provider of foreign tourists demonstrate in different ways their significance to both countries.

It is Australia's general consensus that China's development is an opportunity and relations with China deserve further growth, Zhang added.

"Harmony brings unity and unity breeds prosperity. A stable, prosperous and open China is a blessing for the world and will enable the bilateral relations to grow even stronger." He said.

Some 800 guests were present at Tuesday's reception, biggest ever in scale according to Zhang, including Harry Jenkins, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism, and Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of Australian Capital Territory.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2009)