Politics
2018.11.08 15:04 GMT+8

China, Australia to launch another round of tariff cuts starting in 2019

CGTN

China and Australia are looking to deepen their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne is in China for the latest round of China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

China shouldn't be regarded as a military threat

During the dialogue on Thursday, both officials vowed to promote bilateral ties on the basis of mutual trust and win-win results.

The newly elected Australian government has made positive gestures toward developing China-Australia relations on many occasions, Wang said, adding China welcomes countries including Australia to take an active part in the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Payne said a prosperous China bears positive significance to the rest of the world, and Australia does not regard China as a military threat.

Australia welcomes China's stepping up investment, Payne said, adding that the cooperation under the BRI will contribute to the infrastructure construction in the region.

China and Australia have no zero-sum issues

In a briefing after the dialogue, Wang and Payne announced both sides agree to launch another round of tariff cuts starting in 2019.

By then, almost all products will enjoy zero duty in bilateral trade, Wang added.

Wang stressed there is no zero-sum game between the two countries.

He also said China and Australia are committed to promoting a peaceful resolution of regional hotspot issues and actively promote the process of regional economic integration.

(CGTN's Wang Mengzhen also contributed to the story.)

(With inputs from agencies)

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