BEIJING (AP) — Australian Prime Minister John Howard arrived in China on Tuesday on a visit to mark 30 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries and to promote an Australian bid for a major liquefied natural gas contract.
Howard met first with Li Peng, head of the Chinese parliament and the No. 2 leader in China’s ruling Communist Party after party secretary Jiang Zemin. Jiang also was expected to meet Howard.
“It’s a very important visit,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan. “The Chinese side is ready to take this opportunity and work with the Australian side to enhance dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.”
Howard was in China as the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, was visiting Australia.
Supporters of the Dalai Lama have accused Howard of scheduling his China trip to avoid meeting the Tibetan leader.
Defying warnings from China, the Australian government said Tuesday that senior officials would meet the Dalai Lama to discuss human rights issues in Tibet.
