CHINA / National
Australian PM's China visit reflects 'best ever' ties
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-06-25 14:52
SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister John Howard's visit to China this
week to launch a multi-billion dollar gas deal reflects a readiness to
accept Beijing's growing economic and political clout as an opportunity,
not a threat.
Howard's conservative government has repeatedly indicated that it does
not share the qualms expressed by close allies the United States and
Japan over the regional giant's expanding power.
"We welcome China's growth and China's development," Howard said after
meeting in Canberra in April with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. "We see it
in a positive light."
Howard will meet Wen again in the southern province of Guangdong during a
visit from Tuesday to Thursday, where they will oversee the official
opening of a 25 billion dollar liquefied natural gas program.
The contract to supply gas to Guangdong for 25 years -- Australia's
largest single trade deal -- got underway last month with the first
shipment from the giant North West Shelf field off Western Australia.
The gas deal is just one plank of a fast-expanding trade partnership that
has largely been fueled by exports of natural resources from Australia to
China, and is part of generally warm relations between the two countries.
"I think the official term used to describe relations is 'the best ever'
-- and that's probably right," said Malcolm Cook, Asia-Pacific program
director for Australia's independent Lowy Institute think-tank.
"One of the things that strikes you if you look at the Japanese, US and
Australia approaches to China, Australia's is much less ambivalent and
cooperative and sees the rise of China both economically and
diplomatically as an opportunity," he told AFP.
Australia did not perceive China as an economic threat, partly because
its own manufacturing industry was relatively small, and rather than
being concerned about the security implications of China's rise was
worried that the US and Japan would overreact.
"Both the prime minister and foreign minister (Alexander Downer), when
they talk about rise of China, consistently take the line that it is not
automatically going to cause conflict and competition," Cook said.
Page: 1 2
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� PBOC chief: Growth high despite tightening
� China mulls anti-monopoly law
� Zawahri vows vengeance against US
� Argentina win through to meet German
� China concerned over missile issue
Top China News
� Premier leaves for home after visit to Uganda
� Japan urged to help mend ties
� PBOC chief: Growth high despite tightening
� China mulls anti-monopoly law
� Farming cooperatives to enjoy legal status
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Learn Chinese
No comments:
Post a Comment