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Australia & China in for the long haul
MELBOURNE, 29 March 2011 – Australia is more dependent on the Chinese economy as a market than any other country in the world, said Dr Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to China, at an Asialink - Asia Society AustralAsia Centre - ACBC luncheon.Dr Raby identified Australia’s dependence above that of the United States, Japan and even South Korea – and he does not expect the situation to change.
“It’s hard to conceive the possibility of any other country on earth ever again replacing China as Australia’s largest export market,” he said.
Dr Raby said that complementarities between the two country’s economies would drive “deeper and deeper integration.”
“Whether we like it or not, this is a very fundamental change in Australia’s outlook and future,” he said.
Speaking to an audience comprising a range of Australian businesses, Dr Raby spent much of his address explaining the likely ramifications for Australia of China’s most recent five-year plan.
He also emphasised the educational linkages between the two countries and said more needs to be done to get Australians studying in China.
The strength of US-China relations was also highlighted by Dr Raby, who described himself as ‘unashamedly sanguine’ about the countries’ recent engagement.
“We haven’t begun to put in place the sort of bilateral structure and architecture and relationships that the United States and China have between them,” he said.
Dr Raby has held the position of Ambassador since February 2007 and will complete his service in August this year.
Dr Raby was Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) from November 2002 to November 2006. He has held a number of senior positions in DFAT, including First Assistant Secretary, International Organisations and Legal Division (2001-2002), Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, Geneva (1998-2001) and First Assistant Secretary, Trade Negotiations Division (1995-1998). He was Australia's APEC Ambassador from November 2002 to December 2004.
Reported by Will McCallum
Multimedia
- PHOTOS: Full photos hosted on Flickr
- VIDEO: Australia's economic growth a product of Chinese policy
- VIDEO: Australia & China in for the long haul
- VIDEO: Interview: Australian Ambassador to China on Gmail, Japan & Soft Power
- LISTEN: Full Podcast