MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
I will visit China from Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 March.
Australia's establishment of diplomatic relations with China in 1972 has underpinned the relationship between the two countries for over 30 years.
Australia and China share a strong bilateral relationship based on rapidly growing trade - worth $63.7 billion in 2007-8 - and significant shared interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
Minerals and petroleum resource exports account for over two thirds of Australia's merchandise exports to China, where Australia is seen as a competitive and reliable supplier of a wide range of energy resources.
In recent years, institutional and people-to-people links have flourished, as illustrated by the 100,000 Chinese students currently studying in Australia.
I will visit Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and Chongqing municipality in South-West China before travelling to Beijing.
Sichuan and Chongqing have a combined population of 114 million and a GDP of USD258 billion.
Australia has long-standing historical and development assistance ties with the region, and an increasing number of Australian companies are taking advantage of commercial opportunities there.
In Sichuan and Chongqing, I will meet with local leaders and Australian business representatives, and visit earthquake reconstruction projects in the city of Dujiangyan, close to the Sichuan capital Chengdu.
While in Beijing, I will meet my counterpart Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other senior Chinese political leaders.
Minister Yang and I will also hold the second round of the Australia-China Strategic Dialogue.
The first Strategic Dialogue was held early last year in Canberra and this Dialogue provides a timely opportunity to continue our high level engagement with China on regional and global strategic issues of importance.
The Strategic Dialogue is an important pillar in our expanding bilateral ties with China, and reflects the significance of the relationship to the two countries.
Minister Yang and I will discuss a range of bilateral priorities, including the Australia-China trade and economic relationship, human rights, cultural and consular issues.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555