中澳商务
China Australia Business

澳中经济合作关系正处于有史以来
最密切的时期。中国分别超越了日本和美国，目前是澳大利亚第二大商品进口来源国及商品出口市场。澳中双向贸易额比2005年大幅提高了29%，达到374亿美元，而两国也已同意就达成自由贸易协定(FTA)进行磋商。

高层定期互访加深了两国间的经济关系。澳总理自就任以来已五次访华，最近的一次是2005年4月。而我自1999年7月任贸易部长以来，也已对中国进行了五次访问，我计划今年再度前往中国。澳大利亚非常高兴地接待了2003年中国国家主席胡锦涛并期待欢迎中国总理温家宝2006年4月的访问。澳中通过这些接触建立了关系、增进了互信，并能就有关事宜开展具建设性的、坦率的商谈。

在澳中建立外交关系以来的数年里，我们亲眼看到中国经济发生了巨大的变化，中国数百万的人民因为经济的发展脱离了贫困的生活。自上世纪80年代早期以来，中国的GDP每年平均增长近10%。近几年来，中国在2001年入世的推动下，继续推行改革，经济的发展更加令人瞩目。作为贸易部长，我怀着极大的兴趣与热情关注着中国的发展。中国经济的强大对澳大利亚和亚太地区有着巨大而积极的影响。

对中国而言，澳大利亚是一个成品市场，也是一个极富吸引力的投资地。同时，澳大利亚因其稳定的经济和强劲的市场导向政策而得到高度的评价。澳大利亚的商业成本竞争力也被毕马威(KPMG)评为世界第二。

澳中两国未来的合作项目很多。我们在发展资源等传统强项以外的经济关系方面，有着共同的兴趣。澳大利亚希望拓展一系列产品的市场准入，其中包括服务业和农产品。而最近签定的柑橘协议就是一个很好的范例，这说明我们可以共同协作，取得积极的成果。我们相信，尽管目前双向投资还落后于贸易，但这种投资是可以得到很大发展的。当然， 我想强调，投资的先决条件必须合适。

澳中两国间的自由贸易协定具有生成巨大附加利益的潜力。现在谈判正进入更具实质性的阶段，我们必须记住，协议不是一蹴而就的，我们将耐心认真地与中方同事协作，达成一系列的承诺，造福澳中后代。在协商自由贸易协定的同时，双方既有的经济关系也保持着一贯的强劲和活力，我们相信，澳中两国的贸易和投资将继续得到发展。

随着中国的不断转型和发展，她正日益成为澳大利亚未来经济不可或缺的组成部分。而澳大利亚在金融服务等领域拥有的知识和经验，也能对中国下一阶段关键性的经济改革提供帮助。

澳大利亚中国工商业委员会(Australia ChinaBusinessCouncil)在促进澳中商界交流方面，起着至关重要的作用。我相信，《中澳商务》这本新的出版物将为澳中关系发掘更多的机遇，同时进一步加深现有的合作。

The Australia-China economic relationship has never been stronger. China is now Australia’s second largest source of merchandise imports, ahead of Japan, and our second largest merchandise export market, ahead of the United States. Two-way goods trade rose a remarkable 29% in 2005 to A$37.4bn. And of course Australia and China have agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement.

Regular high-level visits have deepened the economic ties between our countries.

The Prime Minister has made five visits to China since coming to office, most recently in April 2005. I have also visited China five times since becoming Trade Minister in July 1999 and am planning to go again this year. Australia was pleased to host President Hu Jintao in 2003 and is looking forward to welcoming Premier Wen Jiabao in April. Through these contacts, Australia and China have built a relationship of trust and can talk through issues constructively and frankly.

In the years since Australia and China commenced diplomatic relations, we have seen China dramatically transform its economy – and reap enormous benefits from doing so, including lifting millions of its people out of poverty. Since the early 1980s China’s GDP has increased by an average of just under 10% per annum. And continued reform – spurred on in part by China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 – has seen China grow very impressively through the early years of this decade. As Minister for Trade, I have watched these developments with great interest and enthusiasm. They have had an enormous, positive impact on Australia and the region.

For China, Australia is a market place for manufactured goods as well as an attractive investment destination. Australia is also highly regarded for its stable economy and strong market-oriented policies. It is ranked second in the world by KPMG for its business cost competitiveness.

Australia and China have a busy forward agenda. We have a shared interest in developing the economic relationship beyond traditional strong points such as resources. Australia is looking to expand market access for a range of goods, including services and agrifood. The recent finalisation of a protocol on citrus is a good example of how we can work together to achieve positive results. We believe that two-way investment can be expanded considerably, lagging as it does behind trade. I would stress, though, that investment conditions must be right.

A Free Trade Agreement between our two economies holds the potential to deliver enormous additional benefits. As we approach the more substantive stage of the negotiations it is important to remember that it is not an agreement that can be concluded quickly.

However, we will work patiently and diligently with our Chinese colleagues to develop a package of commitments that will benefit future generations of Australians and Chinese alike. While we are negotiating an FTA, our already strong and dynamic economic relationship means that we can be confident that trade and investment will continue to grow.

China will be increasingly integral to Australia’s economic future as it maintains its rapid transformation and growth. For our part, Australia’s knowledge and experience in areas like financial services can help China in the next, crucial phases of economic reform.

The Australia China Business Council has fulfilled an important role in facilitating network opportunities between the Chinese and Australian business communities. I am confident this new publication, China Australia Business, will help open up more opportunities and deepen those links further still.

The Hon. Mark Vaile MP,
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade.