The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, will co-chair the third Australia-China High-level Economic Cooperation Dialogue with Mr Zhang Ping, Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), in Canberra on Wednesday, 22 October.

The NDRC is China’s key economic planning agency.

“The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for Australia and China to promote opportunities for further cooperation on bilateral and international economic and trade issues, including clean energy and energy security, the resources trade, transport and infrastructure issues, two-way investment and China’s economic reform agenda,” said Mr Crean.

“Chairman Zhang’s visit is particularly timely in light of the uncertain global economic environment. We will exchange views on our respective governments’ responses to the global financial crisis and policy options for limiting the impact on our economies.”

“We will also discuss the extent to which the growth in China’s domestic consumption and investment is expected to continue to drive the long-term demand for Australian exports, including our resources exports.”

Mr Crean and Chairman Zhang last met in August in Beijing.

The Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Mr Martin Ferguson AM, will also attend the HECD meeting.

China is Australia’s largest trading partner. Two-way trade was worth $58 billion in 2007.

Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555