Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Jia Qinglin will arrive in Perth on Tuesday to start his official and friendly visit in Australia. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Chen Yuming told Xinhua in a recent interview about the significance of the visit.

According to Chen, Jia is this year's most important Chinese political leader being sent to Australia for an official visit, and the trip will further deepen cooperation, as well as promote bilateral relations between the two nations.

Jia has last visited Australia 12 years ago, and Chen said the reciprocal visit to Australia reflects the value and expectations China has on the development of Sino-Australia relations.

During the visit, Jia will meet Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Juila Gillard, Parliamentary leaders and other Australian leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations, as well as to discuss regional and international issues.

He will also meet leaders from business, technology, and education sectors, in a move to boost comprehensive Sino-Australia cooperative relations.

One of the highlights of the visit is to strengthen cooperation in high-technology, Chen told Xinhua, and Jia will visit a number of energy, communications and other research institutions during his trip to Australia.

Earlier, Chinese Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang and Vice Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission Xie Zhenhua have respectively visited Australia. The first Chinese-Australia climate change forum was also being held in Australia.

"Through these important visits, science, technology, resources and climate change cooperation between the two nations will be more specific and effective," Chen told Xinhua.

Earlier in March, Xie Zhenhua together with Australian Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the two nations will forge stronger research and policy links to address climate change challenge.

Chen, who praised Australia's developed economy, rich resources, as well as its advanced science and technology, said China's 12th Five-Year Plan plan will release a huge investment and consumption demand, adding that it will provide further investment opportunities, expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations and to create more possibility for Australia to further develop its climate actions.

At the same time, Chen said China and Australia will continue to strengthen international cooperation on tackling climate change, and will provide further contributions to the global low-carbon development side-by-side.

On the current diplomatic relations between China and Australia, Chen said that the pair are both important countries in the Asia- Pacific region, with a wide range of common interests.

Having established the diplomatic relations for nearly 40 years, Chen said the two governments, together with the joint efforts of all sectors, have maintained a good development on bilateral relations, and such bilateral relations has brought tangible benefits to the people, and also maintained stability in the region.

"The Chinese government is looking forward for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to visit China," Chen said.

Chen concluded by saying that this year marks the "Year of China" being held in Australia, and he looks forward that the two countries will achieve more fruitful results in exchanging their culture.