First lady Peng Liyuan meets with Australian youngsters from Tasmania on Thursday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

She also called for the countries to strengthen cooperation in education and expand exchanges between teachers and students.

Andy Muller, head of the school, said a newly established partnership with Jingshan School in Beijing will help the countries build stronger ties as the young people provide the bridges between nations.

Chinese is the second most common language in Australia, and China also accounts for the most foreign students and tourists. Last year, 4,721 Australian students studied in China.