BEIJING -- China hopes relevant Australian departments will create a fair and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese companies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing Wednesday.

Hong made the remarks in response to a media request to comment on the Australian government's decision to bar Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies from bidding on national broadband network contracts.

"Relevant Australian departments should stop interfering with Chinese companies' regular business under the name of security," Hong said.

Hong said that all have witnessed that Sino-Australian investment cooperation has not only provided opportunities for Chinese companies' ?going global, but also injected vigor into Australian economic and social development and improved people's living standards.

"China hopes the two countries will further work together to promote mutual beneficial cooperation so as to bring benefits to the two peoples," Hong said.