MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China that will help support ongoing Chinese reforms in governance and service delivery.
The China Australia Governance Program (CAGP) MOU is effective until 2010 and signals an increased level of cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the MOU, Australia has committed an additional $20.3 million for a new and innovative program to facilitate and support strategic engagement between Australia and China on governance issues.
For China's continuing development and to ensure the benefits of increasing prosperity are shared more widely amongst the population it is critical that the country continues its current reform process.
The CAGP builds on the lessons, understanding and friendship of 23 years of development cooperation between China and Australia. It will support links between Chinese agencies and Australian government departments and agencies and work on areas of mutual interest to both countries.
The initial focus will be on optimising the benefits from China's recent accession to the World Trade Organisation and improving fiscal management. Other possible areas to be considered under the program are tax reform, intergovernmental financial agreements, government procurement, fiscal transparency, integrity systems, and public service management.
With an emphasis on partnership, China has now become Australia's second biggest export market, surpassing the US, and investment from China in Australia continues to expand, reaching $2.2 billion in 2003.
Australia and China continue to find innovative and meaningful ways to advance relations - based on mutual respect and a mature understanding of each other's viewpoints.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489