WA-China trade reaches $9.6b

Trade between Western Australia and China totaled $9.6 billion last year, an increase of 67 per cent over the previous year.

In addition, another sign of the growing importance of the trade relationship between WA and China was shown in the fact that WA accounted for 53 per cent of Australian exports to China last year.

Premier Alan Carpenter last night welcomed the Premier of China, Wen Jiabao, to Western Australia, who is visiting the state following an invitation from Mr Carpenter in February this year.

Mr Carpenter said Premier Wen's decision to visit Perth demonstrated WA's importance to China.

"The State Government is committed to a close and expanding economic relationship with China," he said.

"Last year, WA accounted for 53 per cent of Australian exports to China and China was our second largest export market.

"The State's economy is doing very well and this is largely because of the strong demand from China for our products."

Mr Carpenter said WA was the largest exporter to China of iron ore, wool and grains.

WA exports to China reached $8.6billion, an increase of 72 per cent, in 2004.

"A joint study into iron ore processing showed there were opportunities for WA to process iron ore into products which could feed into the Chinese steel industry," he said.

"I plan to discuss the study with Premier Wen during his visit.

"I am also pleased that Premier Wen can visit us in the year when WA will export LNG to China's pilot LNG project in Guangdong. The project will be a new milestone in WA's relationship with China."

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China's important relationship with WA underscored by Premier Wen's visit

2/04/06

Premier Alan Carpenter last night welcomed the Premier of China, Wen Jiabao, to Western Australia.

Premier Wen is visiting WA following an invitation from Mr Carpenter in February this year.

Mr Carpenter said Premier Wen's decision to visit Perth demonstrated WA's importance to China.

"The State Government is committed to a close and expanding economic relationship with China," he said.

"Last year, WA accounted for 53 per cent of Australian exports to China and China was our second largest export market.

"During that year, trade between WA and China totalled $9.6billion, an increase of 67 per cent from 2004, with our exports reaching $8.6billion, an increase of 72 per cent.

"The State's economy is doing very well and this is largely because of the strong demand from China for our products."

Mr Carpenter said WA was the largest exporter to China of iron ore, wool and grains.

"A joint study into iron ore processing showed there were opportunities for WA to process iron ore into products which could feed into the Chinese steel industry," he said.

"I plan to discuss the study with Premier Wen during his visit.

"I am also pleased that Premier Wen can visit us in the year when WA will export LNG to China's pilot LNG project in Guangdong. The project will be a new milestone in WA's relationship with China.

"In addition to resources, we have many other opportunities to expand our relationship with China. This includes strengthening ties between WA and Zhejiang Province, WA's sister state in China and boosting tourism, particularly through direct flights and cultural exchanges such as the WA Symphony Orchestra 2006 and the WA Ballet's 2005 China tours."