Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday stressed that cooperation between China and Australia does not harm any third party, is not targeted at any third party and should not be influenced by any third party. 

Li made the remarks when holding the seventh annual meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon ahead of the East Asia Summit.

The Chinese premier called for sound and stable development in China-Australia ties, adding that this will not only be beneficial to the people of the two countries but also for the stability and development of the region and the world.  

China and Australia should view each other's development as an opportunity, properly handle differences and bring bilateral ties to a "normal track," he told Morrison. 

Noting that China and Australia are important economic and trade partners, he said China is willing to continue to engage in exchanges and cooperation with Australia in areas such as trade, energy, finance, education and addressing climate change. 

Morrison hailed China's development as a "miracle" in the history of mankind. 

As a sovereign country, Australia does not need to make a choice between its relations with China and with the United States, he said, stressing that Australia will deal with China in an independent manner. 

Australia looks forward to resuming exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields as soon as possible, he told Li.

When meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sidelines of the annual leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation on Sunday, Li said the two sides need to manage maritime issues in a proper way, so as to create favorable conditions for more cooperation between the two countries.

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Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he noted. 

The Chinese premier also called on East Asian countries to focus on cooperation and jointly address challenges, noting that as the world economy faces mounting downward pressure, countries in the region should be committed to openness and inclusiveness in their cooperation. 

He added that China supports Vietnam's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year and is willing to make joint efforts with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries to promote the development of China-ASEAN ties and East Asian cooperation.

Phuc extended his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), adding that Vietnam attaches great importance to the development of its ties with China. 

Vietnam is willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and properly handle maritime issues between them through dialogue, he told Li.

The Chinese premier also held separate meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Sunday. Li described both Cambodia and Laos as China's friendly neighbors.

When meeting with Hun Sen, Li said China supports Cambodia in its pursuit of a development path suited to its own national conditions and the Cambodian government's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and security, develop its economy and improve its people's livelihoods. 

China is willing to expand cooperation with Cambodia in infrastructure and other areas and push their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level, he added. 

Hun Sen hailed progress in the two countries' cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative as well as their cooperation in law enforcement.

Cambodia is willing to negotiate with China on signing a free trade agreement at an early date and welcomes Chinese companies to increase investment there, he told Li.

When meeting with Thongloun, Li said China is willing to make joint efforts with Laos to advance the building of a community of shared future between the two countries.

Li called on the two sides to exchange experience on development and jointly carry out the construction of the China-Laos railway and other major projects. 

He underscored China's full support for Laos in hosting the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting in January 2020. 

Thongloun pledged to enhance coordination and collaboration with China in holding the LMC summit and promoting Lancang-Mekong cooperation.