PM Transcripts

RjA,' ALIA L
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 11 May 1983
The following message has been sent to His Excellency
Mr Zhao Ziyang, Premier of the State Council of the People's
Republic of China:
" Dear Premier Zhao,
My Government welcomes the announcement of your
Government's decision to award contracts for oil
exploration in the South China and Yellow Seas to
a consortium which includes Australia's largest
company, Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd.
In our recent talks, we agreed that there was
considerable scope for further developing
relations between our countries and noted that
there were particular opportunities for economic
and commercial co-operation.
The participation of Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd
in the consortium is an example of how we can
co-operate in practical ways for our countries'
mutual benefit. It is very pleasing, indeed, that
your Government's decision follows so soon after
our discussions during your visit to Australia,
building on those discussions in the most practical
sense. I am sure that there will be other opportunities
through which both our countries can continue to
develop the relationship which was so much advanced
by your recent visit.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
R. J. L. Hawke"