东南网澳大利亚6月2日讯（本网记者 柯彦宇） 当地时间6月2日，澳大利亚班克斯选区(Banks)联邦议员David Coleman和联邦贸易、旅游及投资部长（Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment)Steven Ciobo就中澳自由贸易协定ChAFTA(China-Australia Free Trade Agreement)举行新闻发布会。
新闻发布会上David Coleman首先介绍了中澳自由贸易协定ChAFTA生效18个月以来给澳大利亚企业及劳动力市场提供的巨大机遇，他说两国之间的自由贸易为澳洲就业市场创造了“数以千计的工作”以及更多的机会。
接着澳大利亚联邦贸易部长Steven Ciobo具体介绍了ChAFTA对澳洲农产品及服务业出口的巨大影响。他提到如今以贸易和投资关系而论，中澳关系可以说是非常紧密，中澳自由贸易协定对两国而言是双赢局面。在农产品出口方面，澳大利亚高质量的农业产品正好符合中国消费者对高品质食品日益增长的需求。比如说澳洲酒类生产商可以说是中澳自贸协定的最大赢家之一，澳洲酒类出口在自贸协定实施后增长了38%，而中国成为澳洲酒类的最大出口国。
Steven Ciobo说，另一方面，在服务和投资领域的自由化也对两国经济活动带来巨大正面影响。澳大利亚有着世界级的教育、职业培训以及老年护理经验，而中国有着日益老龄化的巨大人口，这对双方而言都是宝贵的合作机遇。在旅游产业方面，今年恰逢2017“中澳旅游年”，中方旅游推广活动日前在悉尼歌剧院举行，Steven Ciobo表示自己很荣幸在中国北京和上海参与了旅游年澳方推广活动。目前中澳旅游非常热络，自从自贸协定签订以来，中国赴澳游客人数达到两百万人，他也相信中国伟大的文化会吸引更多的澳洲游客去中国。
Steven Ciobo接受东南网澳大利亚记者采访时表示，对于中澳自由贸易协定另一个重要区域矿产业，虽然澳洲矿业出口受到国际市场波动的影响，但中澳两国间的矿业贸易合作一直紧密。而澳洲市场也在此18个月期间见证了中方在澳投资的增长。他还提到澳大利亚正和香港特别行政区政府商讨两地之间自由贸易协定，期待在今年圣诞节前可以见到实质性成果，这在加强中澳自由贸易方面又跨进一步。
对于有记者问如果在执行自贸协定过程中产生问题，澳方如何处理？Steven Ciobo表示，若有任何问题相信双方政府都会本着友好合作的态度解决。而对于中国的“一带一路”发展战略，Steven Ciobo认为这是非常棒的跨国合作经济协议，澳方对此非常感兴趣。澳大利亚具备发达国家的经验，他相信澳方能对此贡献良多。Steven Ciobo同时否认环太平洋贸易协定TPP(The Trans-Pacific Partnership)与中澳自贸协定存在竞争关系。他说，无论TPP还是东盟ASEAN(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)，都是中澳自贸协定的补充。作为亚太地区重要的两大经济体，澳方致力于和中方一起推动区域贸易自由化。
而对于澳大利亚国内对中澳自贸协定的反对和质疑声音，Steven Ciobo强调反对派无视自贸协定的巨大利益，为了自己的党派利益而撒谎。只要符合澳大利亚的国家利益，澳大利亚政府会坚持履行与中方的协议。发布会在联邦议员David Coleman及贸易部长Steven Ciobo对中澳贸易及文化合作的美好愿景中结束。
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.
