Address at Signing Ceremony between Bauxite Resources Ltd and Yankuang Group
Friday, 08 January 2010
E&OE…
Together with my Parliamentary colleagues, I welcome to Australia Director-General Tan, Chairman Geng and the delegation from China.
While this event today marks the establishment of a joint venture study between BRL and Yankuang, can I assure our visitors that we in Australia also see it as further enhancing the relationship between our two countries.
China and Australia have a strong and growing economic relationship evidenced by the fact that China is one of our most important trading partners, this month it seems our most important trading partner. But most certainly China is our second largest merchandise trading partner and our second largest source of imports.
Australia’s mineral and energy wealth and our geographic location position us to be a significant supplier of resources to China. And we hope that with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between our two countries we can further enhance trade and investment.
But the relationship is far more than just an economic relationship. The people to people links between Australia and China are strong and enduring.
These links have been forged not only through business and investment but also through educational and cultural exchanges, scientific and research initiatives, and also through tourism. Each year over 350,000 Chinese visit Australia.
There are also over 500,000 Australians who claim Chinese heritage so there is a very strong foundation to ensure that the people to people links continue to grow.
Like many people in this room I have had the pleasure of visiting China on a number of occasions, most recently late last year as a guest of the Chinese Government in my capacity as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
But I don’t always visit China just for work! In 2008 I have the privilege of attending the Beijing Olympics.
On every occasion that I’ve visited China, whether for business or pleasure, I am struck by the many opportunities for our two countries to broaden and deepen our bilateral engagement.
There are many who believe that the 21st century will be the century of the Asia-Pacific. China and Australia, working together in mutual respect, will be key stakeholders in the peace and prosperity of our region.
I wish BRL and Yankuang every success for their proposed joint venture. Congratulations.
