Australian business leaders optimistic about Chinese market, economy

CANBERRA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's trading relationship with China is very important and the economic conditions in China are strong, said Australian business leaders.

Recognizing the difficulties of the global economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Robb, former Australian federal minister for trade and investment, told Xinhua that he believed the "underlying economic conditions are strong enough" in China.

"What we've heard from some experts has been encouraging, because when you look at it for the last 20 years, the growth in China has led to the growth in the world," said Robb, who had been participating in the Networking Day of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) on Wednesday.

The former minister signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement on behalf of the Australian government in 2015. He noted that since the free trade agreement entered into force in December that year, the trade between the two countries has grown significantly.

"It's our biggest trading relationship," he said. "It really is a significant foundation on which to build economic recovery."

Describing Chinese and Australian economies as "complementary," Robb was happy to see the relationship between both countries improving. "It injected some enthusiasm and optimism about the relationship. Hopefully, it will continue to improve."

The ACBC Canberra Networking Day takes place from Tuesday to Thursday.

Warwick Smith, chair of the Global Engagement Committee of the Business Council of Australia, said the atmosphere at the meeting was "strong and positive."

Smith underscored that China and Australia have a long and deep relationship, saying that "the Chinese people and the Australian people have a deep understanding and abiding interest in each other's culture and their future."

"In a period ahead when there is no pandemic and travel can commence again in both directions, we will see people-to-people links increase and improve," he added.

Tim Ford, chief executive officer of Treasury Wine Estates, told Xinhua that the role of businesses was to "continue the relationships we have between Australia and China businesses and continue to nurture those notwithstanding difficulties."

China is a big market for Ford's company, which began to produce the wine sourced and made in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region earlier this year.

"We look forward to working with the wine industry in China," he said.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Australia.

Noting that China and Australia working together will prosper for both countries, Ford said "We think it's fantastic for another 50 years to come."