SYDNEY - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said that his visit to Australia is intended to enhance mutual understanding, expand cooperation on various issues and further comprehensive cooperative relations between the two countries to a new level, while addressing overseas Chinese in a luncheon here on Sunday.

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Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Chinese residing in Australia have been working hard all those years to promote local economic development and social progress while contributing much to the people-to-people friendship between the two countries and winning respect from Australian people.

Jia said Chinese residing in Australia have also contributed much to China's reform and opening-up efforts and modernization drive as they are actively engaged in investment in China and supporting Chinese construction and development.

Jia noted that next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. The two nations are presented with new and important opportunities in furthering bilateral relations.

For his part, Qiu Weilian, chairman of the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC) extended warm welcome to Jia on behalf of local Chinese people.

He said Chinese residing in Australia will continue to support China's economic construction and the peaceful reunification of China, and make constant efforts to promote China-Australian ties and people-to-people friendship.

Australia is the second stop of Jia's three-nation tour, which will also take him to Samoa. Jia visited Myanmar before.