東南網澳大利亞6月2日訊（本網記者 柯彥宇） 當地時間6月2日，澳大利亞班克斯選區(Banks)聯邦議員David Coleman和聯邦貿易、旅游及投資部長（Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment)Steven Ciobo就中澳自由貿易協定ChAFTA(China-Australia Free Trade Agreement)舉行新聞發布會。
新聞發布會上David Coleman首先介紹了中澳自由貿易協定ChAFTA生效18個月以來給澳大利亞企業及勞動力市場提供的巨大機遇，他說兩國之間的自由貿易為澳洲就業市場創造了“數以千計的工作”以及更多的機會。
接著澳大利亞聯邦貿易部長Steven Ciobo具體介紹了ChAFTA對澳洲農產品及服務業出口的巨大影響。他提到如今以貿易和投資關系而論，中澳關系可以說是非常緊密，中澳自由貿易協定對兩國而言是雙贏局面。在農產品出口方面，澳大利亞高質量的農業產品正好符合中國消費者對高品質食品日益增長的需求。比如說澳洲酒類生產商可以說是中澳自貿協定的最大贏家之一，澳洲酒類出口在自貿協定實施后增長了38%，而中國成為澳洲酒類的最大出口國。
Steven Ciobo說，另一方面，在服務和投資領域的自由化也對兩國經濟活動帶來巨大正面影響。澳大利亞有著世界級的教育、職業培訓以及老年護理經驗，而中國有著日益老齡化的巨大人口，這對雙方而言都是寶貴的合作機遇。在旅游產業方面，今年恰逢2017“中澳旅游年”，中方旅游推廣活動日前在悉尼歌劇院舉行，Steven Ciobo表示自己很榮幸在中國北京和上海參與了旅游年澳方推廣活動。目前中澳旅游非常熱絡，自從自貿協定簽訂以來，中國赴澳游客人數達到兩百萬人，他也相信中國偉大的文化會吸引更多的澳洲游客去中國。
Steven Ciobo接受東南網澳大利亞記者采訪時表示，對于中澳自由貿易協定另一個重要區域礦產業，雖然澳洲礦業出口受到國際市場波動的影響，但中澳兩國間的礦業貿易合作一直緊密。而澳洲市場也在此18個月期間見證了中方在澳投資的增長。他還提到澳大利亞正和香港特別行政區政府商討兩地之間自由貿易協定，期待在今年圣誕節前可以見到實質性成果，這在加強中澳自由貿易方面又跨進一步。
對于有記者問如果在執行自貿協定過程中產生問題，澳方如何處理？Steven Ciobo表示，若有任何問題相信雙方政府都會本著友好合作的態度解決。而對于中國的“一帶一路”發展戰略，Steven Ciobo認為這是非常棒的跨國合作經濟協議，澳方對此非常感興趣。澳大利亞具備發達國家的經驗，他相信澳方能對此貢獻良多。Steven Ciobo同時否認環太平洋貿易協定TPP(The Trans-Pacific Partnership)與中澳自貿協定存在競爭關系。他說，無論TPP還是東盟ASEAN(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)，都是中澳自貿協定的補充。作為亞太地區重要的兩大經濟體，澳方致力于和中方一起推動區域貿易自由化。
而對于澳大利亞國內對中澳自貿協定的反對和質疑聲音，Steven Ciobo強調反對派無視自貿協定的巨大利益，為了自己的黨派利益而撒謊。只要符合澳大利亞的國家利益，澳大利亞政府會堅持履行與中方的協議。發布會在聯邦議員David Coleman及貿易部長Steven Ciobo對中澳貿易及文化合作的美好愿景中結束。
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Australian Trade Minister holds highly positive attitude regarding ChaFTA
SENAU June 2 (Yanyu Ke/Article Chang Liu/Photographs) Local time June 2, Mr. David Coleman (MP, Federal Member for Banks) and Minister Steven Ciobo (Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment) held a press conference on China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). Minister Ciobo confirmed that ChAFTA has a significant positive effect on Sino-Australian economic and trade activities during the past 18 months since it took effects in December 2015. He also promised the Australian government will work with Chinese government in promoting free trade in Asia Pacific and around the globe.
In the press conference Mr. David Coleman first gave a brief introduction about the huge opportunities presented to the Australian business and labor market. “Literally thousands of jobs” and “more opportunities” were created, he said. Then Minister Ciobo described the significant impact of ChAFTA on Australian agricultural products and service sector during the past 18 months. He said the relationship between china and Australia in terms of trade and investment is certainly very strong. ChAFTA actually produces a win-win outcome for both countries. On the one hand, Australian agricultural produces meet Chinese consumers’ increasing demand for premium-quality goods. For example, Australian wine industry is one of the biggest winners since ChAFTA took effects. Australian wine exports increased 38% during the last 18 months, and China has become Australia’s biggest wine market.
“Chinese consumers are increasingly very sophisticated,” and“Australian wine is one of the best in the world”，said Mr.Ciobo. He said he believed Chinese consumers are satisfied with Australian wine.
?On the other hand, liberalization in service and investment plays a crucial role in Sino-Australian trade ties. While Australia has a world-class-standard education, training, and aged care experience, China is facing a huge increasingly aged population. Thus, it presents a great opportunity for both countries. Likewise, Australia also expects success in tourism. Given that this year is China-Australia year of tourism, the Chinese promotion activity just started days ago in the Sydney Opera House. Minister Ciobo said it was his pleasure to participate in the Australian component of China-Australia year of tourism in Beijing and Shanghai. The tourism between China and Australia is strong at present, there are 2 million Chinese visitors to Australia.
In answering SENAU journalist’s questions, Minister Ciobo mentioned that in another important sector of ChAFTA, i.e., resources, China and Australia have maintained a steady trade flows, although mineral exports are always influenced by global market. In the meantime, there has been great increases of Chinese investment in Australia as well. He also mentioned that the Australian government is having free-trade talks with Hong Kong and expects to see significant results at the end of the year. This is another step forward for Sino-Australian trade relationship.
With respect to how to deal with issues arisen from implementing ChAFTA, Minister Ciobo said the government of Australia will work with Chinese government to resolve any future issues Besides, Mr. Ciobo said "the belt and road initiative (BTI)"is a terrific deal. “From my perspective, Australia has a lot to bring to the table, probably more than any other countries”, said Mr.Ciobo, because Australia has a lot experiences on privatization and infrastructure. He also denied that The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is competing with ChAFTA. Australia just wants to have a comprehensive trade deal, he said. As two of the biggest economies in Asia Pacific, Australia will work with China to promote regional and global free trade.
Minister Ciobo mentioned that he was “aggravated” by some anti-ChAFTA campaigns in Australia. He said the opposition neglected the material interests brought to Australians by ChAFTA,and lied. The government of Australia will work with China to implement ChAFTA to make sure Sino-Australian relationship reach full potentials as long as it is consistent with Australia’s national interests. Australis is willing to build strong culture as well as commercial ties with China.
