PM Transcripts

4WSYRALIA y
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 6 MARCH 1986
At the invitation of the Premier, Zhao Ziyang, I shall make my
second official visit to the People's Republic of China between
18 and 25 May 1986.
This visit will be a further step in consolidating the close and
constructive relationship which has been developing between
Australia and China. Under-the 7th Five Year Plan ( 1986-1990)
China will step up the modernisation of its industries and
economic structure. Australia is well equipped to provide
quality raw materials and technology required to achieve the
objectives of the plan. As well, the process of modernisation
and structural change in Australia will, in time, offer expanding
market opportunities in which China will be well placed to share.
Already these complementaries between our two economies are
bearing fruit, as trade between us continues to grow.
I hope that my second visit to China, following the successful
visits to Australia by Premier Zhao in 1983 and that last year by
the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Yaobang,
will add impetus and scope to our bilateral dialogue and to the
range of bilateral initiatives.
The importance we attach to our relationship with China has been
underscored in recent years by the increasing tempo of
ministerial and other high-level visits. I expect that
discussions on bilateral economic and trade matters will cover
Australia-China cooperation across a wide range of areas,
including those which have been the subject of earlier
discussions with the Chinese leadership, particularly iron and
steel, non-ferrous metals, wool and transport industries. The
itinerary for the visit will include visits to sites in several
provinces where economic cooperation between our two countries is
proceeding. I expect also to continue discussions with the Chinese
leadership on a range of important international regional issues
of mutual concern. I welcome the opportunity I shall have to
open the third China-Australia Senior Executive Forum in Beijing
and to exchange views on the future of the economic relationship
with senior Australian and Chinese business figures.