By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-29 11:21

China and Australia will sign energy and mineral deals when President Hu Jintao makes a State visit to the country next week, foreign ministry officials said Tuesday.

Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei did not provide details of the agreements, saying negotiations are still going, but agencies reported that one of the deals could be a long-term contract for Australia to provide liquefied natural gas for a terminal under construction in eastern China.

Hu will also witness the signing of other cooperative accords in the fields of trade, justice and technology after meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, He said.

When attending the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Sydney, Hu will propose an initiative on sustainable management of forests in a bid to bring into full play the role of forests in tackling climate change, Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said.

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Cui said China is ready to share information and cooperate with other APEC member economies on the sustainable development of forests.

The week-long visit, starting from Monday, is divided between a State visit to Australia and attendance at the 15th economic leaders' informal meeting of APEC.

Hu will visit Perth, Canberra and Sydney.

This is Hu's second visit to Australia since 2003 and shows the importance China attaches to the healthy development of partnerships in the 21st century, He said.

Hu is also scheduled to hold talks with Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Kevin Rudd, leader of the federal Australian Labor Party and leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament.

He will also meet with leaders from the United States, Japan and other APEC member economies on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

Speaking highly of the growing economic links between China and Australia, He said two-way trade was about US$33 billion last year and was US$16 billion in the first five months of this year.