14 August 2014

China Free Trade Agreement to be Completed This Year

Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb is confident the Free Trade Agreement with China will be completed this year.

Mr Robb and Treasurer Joe Hockey were in Beijing recently for the inaugural Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue.

Part of that visit included discussions with the chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Xu Shaoshi, a body that plays a central role in setting

China's strategic economic direction and manages investment within and outside of China.

Mr Robb said the chairman has indicated the NDRC will be active in concluding the FTA.

"The conclusion was it was do-able this year, it could be completed and both governments are determined to bring it to completion later this year," Mr Robb told reporters.

Earlier this year, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott signed FTAs with South Korea and Japan, which allow for liberalised two-way trade with Australia.