Senior Chinese and Australian officials met in Canberra Monday
for the first high-level economic cooperation dialogue between the
two countries to address issues on bilateral economic and trade
relationship.
The participants had in-depth exchange of views on issues of
common concern such as investment, energy, mineral products and
climate change.
The meeting commenced with a ceremony to sign six commercial
contracts in the fields of clean energy, wind power and iron
ore.
Ma Kai, chairman of the National Development and Reform
Commission of China, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Trade Mark Vaile, co-chaired the dialogue.
The meeting was conducted in accordance with a memorandum of
understanding on establishing high-level economic cooperation
between China and Australia, which was signed following Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao's talks with his Australian counterpart John
Howard.
Ma is accompanying Premier Wen on an official visit to
Australia.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2006)
