Jiang seeks stronger ties as protests loom

President Jiang Zemin arrived in Australia yesterday calling for strengthened ties between China and Australia but protest groups vowed to dog him everywhere he goes.

'At the turn of the century, it is all the more important for China and Australia, important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, to strengthen contacts and develop co-operation further,' Mr Jiang said in a statement issued upon his arrival in Melbourne.

He said such enhanced ties would be conducive to maintaining and promoting peace and development in the region. Mr Jiang's comments came after Australia warned against the use of force over Taiwan.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Sunday that any military attack on Taiwan would trigger war between China and the United States and that would be tantamount to a 'regional Armageddon'.

His warning was rebuked by Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong yesterday who said Australia should not make 'inappropriate remarks' on China's internal affairs.

The sensitive Taiwan issue was not mentioned in Mr Jiang's statement which emphasised economic co-operation between the countries.

'As our economies are highly complimentary to each other, there are broad prospects for further expansion of the mutually beneficial bilateral economic and trade co-operation.' Economic co-operation, the Taiwan issue and regional stability are expected to dominate talks between Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Mr Jiang when they meet in Canberra tomorrow.