PM Transcripts

FAL
,1,, AUSTRA! & L
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PR E S S 2 11 DECEM BER 1978
CHINESE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Prime Minister has written to the State Premiers and to the
Chief Minister for the Northern Territory asking for their
cooperation in developing a coordinated Australian approach
to the Chinese Government in areas of Chinese economic development
in which Australia has special expertise.
During the recent visit to China by the Deputy Prime Minister,
Mr Anthony, the Chinese Government zade it clear that it felt
Australia could make a particularly useful contribution in their
agricultural modernisation programme.
China intends, through increased mechanisation and scientific
farming practices, to substantially increase food production
over the next few years.
The particular Australian expertise on which Chinese Ministers
focussed was in dryland farming, sugar production and animal
-husbandry.
Accordingly, the Government intends sending specialist missions
to China as soon . as possible to investigate prospects in these
fields in more detail.
The prospects for increased sales of Australian agricultural
machinery and technology to China as a result of recent
Ministerial visits were attractive.
The Prime Minister said he would welcome interest by the States
in joining with the Commonwealth in a coordinated early endeavour
to expand our already close trading links with China.