Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics Games on Friday to renew the two countries' friendship and seek further cooperation.

As two important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and Australia are principal partners for cooperation and share extensive and vital common interests, Hu said.

The further development of the two countries' mutual beneficial and friendly cooperation is in line with the common aspiration of the two peoples and is conducive to the world's peace, stability and prosperity, he added.

China is ready to make concerted efforts with Australia to handle and develop bilateral ties with a strategic point of view, always make sure their relations are forged in the right direction, and elevate such ties to a new high, Hu said.

Jeffery said his country values cementing of cooperation with China and is ready to bolster the practical collaboration with China in diverse sectors including economy and trade, energy, environment protection, defense, education, culture and personnel exchanges.

Hu welcomed Jeffery to the Beijing Olympics and expressed thanks for the governor-general, as well as the Australian government, for their support for the Games.

He also congratulated Jeffery on Australian athletes' outstanding performances and achievements at the Beijing Olympics.

Jeffery expressed his great affection to China. He congratulated China on the magnificent achievement of running the Games and on Chinese athletes for their super performances in the medal tally.

The world has become a happier place through the contacts of the Games, Jeffery said.

Source:Xinhua