China's commerce minister backs closer Australia ties
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has had a "pragmatic and constructive" exchange on deepening bilateral economic and trade relations with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell in Paris, according to a Chinese commerce ministry statement.
The two countries should enhance communication and co-ordination under multilateral and regional frameworks, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system in the face of "severe challenges" posed by unilateralism and protectionism, Mr Wang told Senator Farrell.
China and Australia should create a good business environment for the two countries' firms, Mr Wang added.
Senator Farrell is in France leading Australia's delegation to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
On the sidelines of that meeting, Australia is set to host an informal meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers to discuss the importance of an open global trading system.
with AAP
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