Source: Xinhua

03-23-2009 11:54

CANBERRA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd here Saturday, and the two leaders pledged to combat the financial crisis and further develop bilateral ties.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (L) meets with Li  Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the  Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist  Party of China, in Canberra, capital of Australia, March  21, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

After conveying greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to Rudd, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, expressed sympathy to Australia for the recent bushfires and floods.

On bilateral ties, Li proposed both countries keep high-level exchanges and he welcomed Rudd and other Australian leaders to visit China.