Gillard's visit to set a new tone for relations
Source: Agencies |
April 27, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA and China signed a series of cooperation agreements yesterday at the start of a visit by Prime Minister Julia Gillard intended to strengthen ties and smooth over recent spats with her country's top export market.
The deals signed cover cooperation in trade, tourism, science and mining. No details were immediately available.
Gillard's trip is her first to China since taking her post in June and seeks to set a new tone for relations following disputes over human rights and Chinese investment under her predecessor, current Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
China buys more than a quarter of Australian exports, having overtaken Japan as the country's largest trading partner in 2009. Two-way annual trade has now passed A$100 billion (US$107 billion), up from A$57 billion in 2009.
Despite robust trade, ties were strained when China jailed four employees of the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, including the Australian national Stern Hu, for stealing commercial secrets and taking bribes.
In his meeting with Gillard in Beijing, Premier Wen Jiabao said China's relations with Australia provided "important momentum for development." "We have always seen Australia as an important partner in our win-win relationship," he said.
"The relationship with China is in good shape," Gillard told reporters after the meeting. "Of course, our economic relationship is a vital one for Australia's national interest, and it is growing in leaps and bounds."
Gillard said her talks focused on trade and investment, and also speeding up negotiations on a free trade agreement.
But she also raised human rights concerns.
"I did have the opportunity to raise with Premier Wen issues associated with Australia's concerns with human rights," Gillard said, noting China's remarkable progress in lifting its people out of poverty.
The deals signed cover cooperation in trade, tourism, science and mining. No details were immediately available.
Gillard's trip is her first to China since taking her post in June and seeks to set a new tone for relations following disputes over human rights and Chinese investment under her predecessor, current Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
China buys more than a quarter of Australian exports, having overtaken Japan as the country's largest trading partner in 2009. Two-way annual trade has now passed A$100 billion (US$107 billion), up from A$57 billion in 2009.
Despite robust trade, ties were strained when China jailed four employees of the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, including the Australian national Stern Hu, for stealing commercial secrets and taking bribes.
In his meeting with Gillard in Beijing, Premier Wen Jiabao said China's relations with Australia provided "important momentum for development." "We have always seen Australia as an important partner in our win-win relationship," he said.
"The relationship with China is in good shape," Gillard told reporters after the meeting. "Of course, our economic relationship is a vital one for Australia's national interest, and it is growing in leaps and bounds."
Gillard said her talks focused on trade and investment, and also speeding up negotiations on a free trade agreement.
But she also raised human rights concerns.
"I did have the opportunity to raise with Premier Wen issues associated with Australia's concerns with human rights," Gillard said, noting China's remarkable progress in lifting its people out of poverty.
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