Communication, coordination key to addressing China-Australia concerns

China and Australia should strengthen communication and coordination to properly address their respective concerns through bilateral or multilateral channels, said Wang Shouwen, vice-minister of commerce and China's international trade representative.

The Chinese official made the remarks during a meeting with Tim Yeend, associate secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in Beijing on Monday, according to an online statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce.

"The Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary, and there is great potential for economic and trade cooperation," said Wang, reiterating China was paying close attention to Australia's stricter scrutiny of Chinese companies investing and operating in the country, as well as its adoption of trade remedy measures against Chinese goods.

China hopes that Australia will handle relevant cases objectively and fairly, take relevant measures prudently, and provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese businesses, he added.

To prepare for the next meeting between the trade ministers of China and Australia, Wang and Yeend exchanged in-depth views on promoting bilateral economic and trade relations, and properly addressing each other's key economic and trade concerns, as well as strengthening cooperation in emerging areas.

Both sides also discussed regional and multilateral cooperation topics such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the reform of the World Trade Organization.