PM Transcripts

EMBARGOED UNTIL 6. OOPM 14
FOR MEDIA 7 SEPTEMBER 1986
JOINT ANNOUNCZMENT ON THE FORMATION OF THE SINO-AUSTRALIAN JOINT
MINISTERIAL ECONOMIC COMMISSION
The following is an announcement by the Governments of Australia and
China, follcwing discussions between the Australian Prime minister, Mr
Hawke, and the Chinese Vice Premier, Mr Wan Li, on 7 September 1986.
In order to promote the development of economic cooperation between
China and Australia, it has been agreed to establish the Sino-Australian
Ministerial Joint Economic Commission. The Chinese side will be chaired
by Mr Lu Dong, Minister of the State Economic Commission and the
Australian side by Senator Button, Leader of the Government in the
Senate. The Joint Coruission will mainly discuss and coordinate matters
concerning the trade and economic cooperation and related scientific,
technical and educational exchanges between the two countries in so far
at these relate to economic and technical cooperation. The Commission
will study and carry forward issues that arise from our economic
relationship and explore new ways of developing trade and economic
cooperation. The Joint Commission will meet once a year alternately in the capital of
each country.
In addition, the Prime Minister provided further information on how the
Joint Comrmic3ion would operate.
The Honouzable John Dawkins, Minister for Trade, will be the alternate
Chairman on the Australian side. The Honourable Bill Hayden, Minister
for Foreign Affairs, will also be a permanent member of the Commission
on the Australian side. Other Australian Ministers will participate in
the work o i the Commission from time to time, as appropriate to the
issues under discussion.
The Commission will provide a mechanism for Australian and Chinese
ministers to discuss and coordinate matters relating to the overall
development of the Australia/ China economic relationship. This will
provide an umbrella for the many industry initiatives that are in place
and which have already contributed to the devlopment of the strong
relationship between China and Australia.
The Secretariat for the Australian side of the Commission will be
established within the Department of Trade to coordinate the provision
of advice to ministers on all matters before the Commission. The
Secretariat will be headed by Ambassador Paul Barratt, Special Trade
Representat'ive for North Asia.