PRIME MINISTER
TPANSCRIPT OF PRIE MINISTERS WNERVIOEW AT FOSTER'SHUAGUANG
FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY, SHANGHAI
26 JUNE 1993
J: Prime minister, how important is it that this
project is a symbol of Australia's intentions
towards business in China?
PM: Well, I think it is very important because its a
major project by major company, with a major
company, and it's important because it's also about
high technology. Beer is basically technology and
we are amongst the technological leaders in the
world and therefore seeing these two companies doing
something in joint venture is a tangible a
tangible benefit for the relationship between China
and Australia.
And this is the kind of thing that Vice Mayor Zhao
has said to me ina the last twenty four hours about
China and Australia doing things together.
J: Is it also important to get-a recognised cultural
symbol of Australia in China?*
PH: Well I think that helps and beer is a bulk commodity
for people and it'll always have the Australian ring
to it, with Fosters, so we-re developing the
whole world is about brand names these days so
we're not only developing a brand name further but
we're doing it in a part of the world that wants us
here.
J: Prime Minister, the g-rowth rate here around twenty
six percent, that really sounds like gangbusters.
Do you think it can keep going or will it have to
slow down sooner rather than later?
PZ!: I think the government wants to slow it down but as
the Vice Mayor has told me in Pudong, this area of
Shanghai, its developing under a national proposal
so its not going to slow down.
2
So Shanghai is probably Australia's gatevay to
China, or one of them, and that's why I'm so
delighted to be here with the Vice Mayor in seeing
this project begin.
J: Mr Keating, as you leave China what are the major
things you feel you've learnt, in the few days
you've been here, about the place?
PM: Well I think its again the further development of
the relationship. Its been, I think, a good couple
of days well spent in meeting the Premier and the
Vice Premier, Li Pang and Zhu Rongji. And I think in
a tangible way apart from better understanding where
we're going, talking about the Pacific, talking
about APEC, but also talking about particular
business opportunities for Australia in major
expansions of steel with iron ore, of wool. If we
can bring that off.
These things are I think great trading and
commercial opportunities for Australia which can
only been done basically by visits, by building the
personal relationships.
J: Do you think Beijing is coloured by the hope of
Olympics by 2000?
PM: Well, that's not in our hands.
ends.