Senior Chinese and Australian officials met in Canberra Monday for the first high-level economic cooperation dialogue between the two countries to address issues on bilateral economic and trade relationship.

 

The participants had in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern such as investment, energy, mineral products and climate change.

 

The meeting commenced with a ceremony to sign six commercial contracts in the fields of clean energy, wind power and iron ore.

 

Ma Kai, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade Mark Vaile, co-chaired the dialogue.

 

The meeting was conducted in accordance with a memorandum of understanding on establishing high-level economic cooperation between China and Australia, which was signed following Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's talks with his Australian counterpart John Howard.

 

Ma is accompanying Premier Wen on an official visit to Australia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2006)