On April 30, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Minister for Trade of Australia Don Farrell co-hosted the 17th session of the China-Australia Joint Ministerial Economic Committee (JMEC) via videolink. China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen was present at the event. The two sides commended the role of the JMEC mechanism and had candid, professional and in-depth exchanges on deepening bilateral trade and economic relations, enhancing regional and multilateral coordination and exploring practical cooperation in emerging sectors, among other issues.

Wang Wentao noted that the year 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s successful visit to Australia and of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Australia are growingly integrated in their trade and economic interests. The two sides need to implement the consensus of their leaders’ meetings, place cooperation on an even more prominent position in their bilateral relationship, address each other’s concerns based on equality and mutual benefits, and translate economic complementarity into more practical outcomes. It is hoped that Australia could keep improving its business environment and treat Chinese companies in a fair and impartial manner.

Wang Wentao said that China is moving faster to grow new quality productive forces. Its economy, which stays on an upward trajectory, drives world economic recovery. China will continue to expand high-standard opening-up and build a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and up to international standards, which will mean greater opportunity for all countries, including Australia.

Don Farrell said that China and Australia have made substantial progress in advancing their bilateral trade and economic ties and properly addressing each other’s key concerns over the past year, in which the JMEC has played a positive part. Australia is ready to work with China to keep expanding cooperation in trade and investment and step up communication and coordination at multilateral and regional mechanisms. Australia believes in a brighter future of Australia-China trade and economic relations.

(All information published on this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)