Word: downers
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...time frame that sits somewhere between several days and a couple of centuries: let's say 20 years. "The Chinese have been part of the Australian story since the early days of settlement. I expect China to be of ever growing importance to Australia," says Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. "In the next 15 or 20 years it has the potential to become our biggest trading partner, for sure." A highly placed Australian observer is prepared to look even further ahead...
...Spread out on a sofa in his Parliament House office, Foreign Minister Downer has the answer to that one down pat: "We get imports more cheaply, and we get better access to their export markets. There's no doubt that the net impact on our economy would be very positive." And politically? "An FTA is a way of building a very strong bond with a country," Downer says. He believes the Chinese view Australia as more important to them than before, while Canberra's friendship with Washington gives it "gravitas" in the region. "As China's economic power has grown...
...technology. Australia has what China needs. Both sides can see the opportunities and want to seize them." Two-way trade has tripled in value since 1998. Despite Australia's growing dependence on China, its share of all the goods going into the People's Republic is a mere 2%. Downer sees no reason why the two nations shouldn't enter into the FTA talks as equals. Fu is not so sure. "The biggest difference we have is the gap in per capita income," she says. "So Australia should always remember that it is dealing with a very poor country...
...Australia again. Given its expansion and global carbon-emissions protocols, China's energy future is looking increasingly nuclear. Australia has the world's largest uranium reserves. The two countries are working on a nuclear safeguards agreement. "We believe in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," says Foreign Minister Downer. Although environmentalists are not the political force they have been in the past, uranium mine expansions or a Chinese stake in the industry would bring protesters to the streets. The Howard government has changed the way Australia addresses Chinese human rights violations by pursuing what Downer describes as a "practical...
...which is still supported by the great majority of Australians. Differences in political systems and social attitudes also impose a barrier to the sort of easy interaction Canberra enjoys with Washington. But in all sorts of ways, Beijing's voice is being listened to. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has used very careful language about Australia's attitude to potential conflict between China and the U.S. over Taiwan. The government restates its One China policy clearly and frequently. And, as part of the negotiations for a trade agreement, Australia will declare China to be a market economy...