Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks to President of the Upper House of the Australian Parliament Stephen Parry and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tony Smith, as part of his visit to Australia, which started on Wednesday night. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Australian legislative bodies to boost understanding and mutual trust, which will shore up bilateral relations and cooperation, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

The Premier was speaking to President of the Upper House of the Australian Parliament Stephen Parry and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tony Smith, as part of his visit to Australia, which started on Wednesday night. The Australian Parliament is composed of the Upper House and the House of Representatives.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and China is willing to strengthen governmental, local and grassroots exchanges with Australia and expand cooperation in economy, trade and people-to-people aspects, Li said. Exchanges between the two countries' legislative bodies are a crucial way to boost mutual trust, he added.

Parry and Smith said the Upper House and the House of Representatives have attached great importance to relations and cooperation with China's legislative bodies.

Parliament is willing to play a positive role in boosting bilateral relations, cooperation and friendship between both peoples by furthering contacts and exchanges with Chinese counterparts, they agreed.