ISDS Case Map
China
All barriers to trade and investment must be tackled in a "bold" China free trade agreement that Australian business groups said should even lead to easier visas for travel, education and tourism.
Australia will consider changes to foreign investment guidelines to give China preferential treatment in buying into Australian resource projects under a free trade deal, John Howard confirmed yesterday.
Workers' rights were being ignored in the rush to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, a leading group of opponents said today.
Australia's proposed free trade agreement with China is on early shaky ground with a union leader claiming it's based on a lie and industry warning it should not be accepted at any cost.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has played down the significance of securing a free-trade agreement with China. "Whether or not we start free-trade negotiations, or whether they are brought to a satisfactory conclusion, I do not want to see that become the benchmark of whether or not we have a good relationship."
China is in discussions with the Gulf Cooperation Council to establish a free trade agreement (FTA) which is expected to take effect this year. The GCC member states hold 45 percent of the world's oil reserves and account for 20 percent of oil production, and an FTA would help China shore up its energy supplies.
Australia should push ahead with negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China despite the risks and difficulties involved in engaging with the Communist nation, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today announced the decision of India and China to institute a joint feasibility study on a Free Trade Area (FTA) Agreement between the two countries, having signed a landmark political accord to settle the lingering boundary dispute.
Report of a joint feasibility study, leading to the launch of FTA negotiations.
One important provision in a China-Australia Free
Trade Agreement could be the establishment of a Medicines Working
Committee. This committee would facilitate cooperation, collaborations
and joint ventures between Australian and Chinese pharmaceutical
regulators, clinical trial and biotechnology researchers, as well as
generic manufacturers.
