CCIEE and Australian National University Hold Seminar on China-Australia Economic Relations

On September 26, CCIEE and the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research of the Australian National University held a Seminar on China-Australia Economic Relations in Beijing. Experts and scholars from both sides attended the seminar, including Zhang Xiaoqiang, Executive Vice Chairman of CCIEE, Zhang Yongjun, Deputy Chief Economist of CCIEE, Xu Chaoyou, Director- General of the Department of External Affairs, Liu Xiangdong, Deputy Director of Economic Research Department, and Peter Drysdale, Professor of the Australian National University. The participants from China and Australia have conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as global trade policy challenges, regional comprehensive economic partnership agreements and regional cooperation, the belt and road, infrastructure investment and regional cooperation, and APEC, regional cooperation reorientation and bilateral relations. Officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Australian Embassy in China attended the seminar.

Zhang Xiaoqiang pointed out that the bilateral economic and trade relations have continued to develop smoothly since China and Australia concluded the free trade agreement. In order to meet the challenges facing the two nations, they should strengthen communication, deepen mutual understanding and increase mutual trust. Think tanks can act as a great platform and play an active role in making suggestions for the governments.

Professor Drysdale said that the two sides share the same goals and they should continue to maintain close communication and cooperation, so as to explore development paths of the Australia-China cooperation.