BEIJING, July 8  -- Wang Jiarui, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia in Beijing on July 8th.

Wang commended Rudd for his contribution to China-Australia relations at both the state and party level when he served as Australian prime minister and foreign minister and leader of the Labour Party.  

Calling the former Prime Minister a China expert, Wang hoped Rudd tap his expertise and connections to building a bridge between China and other countries so as to help them know China as it is.

Kevin Rudd said it was exactly 30 years ago when I first visited China and I have witnessed the sea changes here over the past three decades.  

He added that I appreciate China’s development as beneficial to the whole world and the theory of China as a threat is a complete misjudgment.  

He pledged to help promote stronger understanding and cooperation between China and major western countries such as the United States.  

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