Australian trade minister Andrew Robb is on the way to China to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Beijing and to hold high-level talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.
澳大利亚金融部长安德鲁·罗比正在赶赴中国参加北京APEC会议并与中方就自由贸易协定举行高层会谈。
Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb speaks at a press conference for the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Sydney on October 27, 2014.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says during his visit, Robb is expected to meet with key Chinese counterparts for talks to advance negotiations for the FTA with Australia's biggest trading partner.
"After almost a decade, the FTA negotiations have now reached an advanced stage, but there are critical issues still to be worked through if we are to fulfill our objective of a satisfactory conclusion this year and making further positive progress will be a primary focus of my visit," Robb was quoted as saying.
Robb will participate in an APEC ministerial meeting on Nov. 7- 8.
The ministerial meeting followed by the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 10-11 provides an opportunity to review the forum's trade and economic work and to consider challenges facing member economies.
Robb said APEC offers a platform to highlight the importance of getting the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement back on track.
"APEC has a good record on trade facilitation and is well- placed to demonstrate the benefits for business of the WTO Agreement."