On the afternoon of November 21, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Australian Prime Minister John Howard in Santiago and both sides said they will make concerted efforts to push China-Australia all-round cooperation to make greater progress.

Hu said, ''during my visit to your country last year, I reached consensus with you, Mr. Prime Minister, on deepening bilateral all-round cooperation''. Such consensus is under earnest implementation. China views China-Australia ties from a strategic perspective and would like to further strengthen bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in the following aspects. First, both sides should continue to maintain the momentum of exchanges of high-level visits. Second, both sides should strengthen mutual political trust and understand and support each other on issues involving significant and core interests of each other. Third, both sides should deepen economic and trade cooperation and expand collaboration in energy resources and high and new tech. Fourth, both sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional organizations and enhance consultation and dialogue in significant international and regional issues.

Howard said that President Hu's visit to Australia and important speech to the Parliament last year left the Australian government and people a deep impression. To further develop well-established Australia-China ties is the main target of the Australian government in its foreign relations in the next four years to come. He agreed to President Hu's proposals on developing bilateral ties, holding that maintaining close exchanges between leaders of the two countries is of great significance to promoting the development of bilateral ties. He added that his country would like to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, is conscientiously studying the feasibility of the Australia-China free trade agreement and will assess the issue of China's full market economy status objectively and fairly. Howard also reaffirmed that the Australian government will continue following the one-China policy and that his country understands the stance and feelings of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan issue and does not encourage Taiwan's any words and acts aiming at ''Taiwan independence''.