Major joint study of Australia-China economic relationship »

The first major joint study of the economic relationship between Australia and China has been launched in Beijing. The joint study will be led by Professor Peter Drysdale from ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and Mr Zhang Xiaoqiang, Executive Director of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) and former Vice Minister of China's National Development Reform Commission. The study will examine the medium to long-term prospects for the economic relationship and follows the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the changes in the strategic trade in resources between the two countries. Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey welcomed the study's launch and said it signified the importance attached to the relationship in both countries. "It will contribute significantly to understanding of the issues at stake for both countries," Mr Hockey said. Zeng Peiyan, former Vice Premier of China and Chair of CCIEE said the study would set the path for the economic relationship over the next decade. "The trade and investment potential of China's and Australia's strongly complementary economies is enormous," he said.