China Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng met with Australia Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and held talks on issues relating to China-Australia bilateral economic and trade relations and China-Australia FTA in Beijing on November 21. Both parties said to work on and make substantial progress in China-Australia FTA negotiations and to upgrade China-Australia bilateral relations.

Minister Gao Hucheng said that China-Australia comprehensive cooperative relations have developed rapidly in recent years. China-Australia bilateral relations are at the best time in history. The two countries have further integrated the economies, highlighted the economic complementarity in recent eight years since China-Australia FTA negotiations started. This is the driving force for both parties to finish FTA negotiations as soon as possible. Leaders of both countries have expressed their intentions to quicken the FTA negotiations during their meeting after new leaders of Australia came into office. China would like to strive for the same goal with Australia, and step up negotiations in flexible and pragmatic ways.

Minister GAO Hucheng made a high appreciation of the proposals on stepping up FTA negotiations by new Australian leaders. He said that the proposals are positive and constructive, and it contributes a lot to narrow the differences and serves as the basis of further negotiations at technical level.

Minister Robb said that an early China-Australia FTA agreement could serve as an orientation for bilateral cooperation and improve the bilateral relations. Australia would like to step up the FTA negotiations in flexible and innovative ways and join efforts with China to reach the agreements as soon as possible.

H.E.Mrs.Frances J. Adamson， Australian ambassador to China was also present at the meeting.