At the 2024 Australia-China Economic Cooperation Forum in Hobart, Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian praised the significant achievements of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership over the past decade. Speaking on Wednesday night, Xiao highlighted the tangible benefits that the partnership has brought to both nations.
“Since the establishment of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, our economic and trade cooperation has reached a new level, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples,” Xiao stated.
He emphasized the successful cooperation in solar energy technology, which has become a model for global green energy initiatives. Additionally, Xiao noted the growing cultural and educational exchanges that have strengthened ties between the two countries.
Xiao called for continued collaboration to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership. He suggested that China and Australia should strengthen traditional cooperation in trade, energy, and mining while exploring complementary advantages in climate change, energy transition, and innovation.
China and Australia established their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014. Reflecting on the Chinese leader’s visit to Tasmania—the smallest of Australia’s six states by both population and area—Xiao described it as a success story that promoted mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation.
“Now, China remains Tasmania’s largest trading partner, and Tasmanian high-quality products such as salmon and cherries are widely welcomed by Chinese consumers,” he said.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff also addressed the forum, acknowledging China as the state’s strongest global trade partner and the number one destination for Tasmanian exported goods.
In August, Tasmania exported goods worth 1.4 billion Australian dollars (around $920.6 million) to China, representing 30 percent of the state’s total exports. “It is currently the number one destination for Tasmanian food exports, including our world-class seafood, dairy, and whiskey, along with a wide range of other premium products,” Rockliff stated.
Rockliff announced that he would depart in November for an official visit to Shanghai, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Fujian Province, which has been Tasmania’s sister state since 1981. His tour aims to further expand the partnership between China and Tasmania in key sectors, including trade, tourism, aquaculture, forestry, arts, culture, and entertainment.
Reference(s):
Chinese envoy hails success of 10 years of China-Australia partnership
cgtn.com
