2017年CRI China, Australia agree to promote trade liberalization and facilitation

 

Chinese Premier¹ Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the Australia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum² in Sydney, Australia on Friday, March 24, 2017. Premier Li says the prosperous economic and trade relations between China and Australia are thanks to free trade and the two countries will continue to develop new trade fields. [Photo: gov.cn]

China and Australia have agreed to further promote trade facilitation and liberalization, as leaders from both countries attended the China-Australia Cooperation on Economy and Trade Forum held in Sydney on Friday.

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said globalization and free trade have contributed to human development and prosperity.

"Thanks to globalization and trade liberalization, people have more choices available and all countries can bring out their own comparative advantages. Although people may confront all sorts of obstacles during the process, their wisdom and ability can help bring them useful solutions. What we need to do now is to cement our confidence," said Li Keqiang.

On Friday, China and Australia signed new deals to expand their bilateral³ free trade agreement.

According to one of the deals, China agreed to remove the restriction⁴ on beef imports from Australia, allowing all eligible⁵ frozen beef businesses in the Oceanic country to enter China's market.

Australia is the first country to be granted such market access.

Premier Li Keqiang and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull oversaw⁶ the signing of the new bilateral agreements.

The two leaders have also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum⁷ of Understanding in connection with a possible 4.6-billion-U.S.-dollar investment project sponsored by a Chinese state-owned construction firm.

Premier Li Keqiang has commented on the benefits of the new deals:

"At the same time we're exploring new areas. We want to take our trade to greater prosperity, and through this prosperity brought by our FTA we want to show to our region and the world that free trade will deliver benefits to all human beings," said Li Keqiang.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said trade protectionism could only dig the low-growth trap deeper rather than deliver solutions, and that both countries are ready to work together to further open markets to each other.

"Now, we know that the cooperation between China and Australia showcases to the region and the world our determination to defend trade liberalization and advocate the benefits of free trade. But we must, as (Chinese) President Xi (Jinping) has reminded us - Guangzhou last year and Davos this year (World Economic Forum) - we have to make the case for trade. That is why we have to remind our communities that trade create jobs. It enables businesses to do more, to export more, to invest more. All of that opens up enormous opportunities," said Turnbull.

He also praised China's economic progress to highlight the importance of trade

“Our dynamic economic partnership⁸ has proved that trade and investment liberalization is the clear path to economic security and prosperity. Over the past 30 years, as Australia and China both undertook reforms to open our economies to the global markets, our living standards have risen, and in China, of course, the transformation⁹ is probably the most dramatic economic progress in the history of the world. Hundreds of millions of people were lifted out of poverty in a generation. Liberalization has driven productivities, created jobs, raised incomes and enlarged prices,” said Turnbull.

China is Australia's largest trading partner. A free trade agreement between the two countries took effect in December 2015.

During his time in Sydney, the second leg of his ongoing¹⁰ official visit to Australia, Premier Li also attended the 6th Australia-China CEO roundtable meeting and the 2nd Australia-China State/Provincial Leaders Forum.

The Chinese Premier has called on more Australian states and territories to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China's central and western regions, so as to benefit from China's development drive of the western region.

He is set to pay a visit New Zealand after wrapping up his tour to Australia.

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

4 restriction   

n.限制，约束

参考例句：

• The park is open to the public without restriction.这个公园对公众开放，没有任何限制。
• The 30 mph speed restriction applies in all built-up areas.每小时限速30英里适用于所有建筑物聚集区。

5 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

6 oversaw   

v.监督，监视( oversee的过去式 )

参考例句：

• He will go down as the president who oversaw two historic transitions. 他将作为见证了巴西两次历史性转变的总统，安然引退。 来自互联网
• Dixon oversaw the project as creative director of Design Research Studio. 狄克逊监督项目的创意总监设计研究工作室。 来自互联网

7 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

10 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。