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Sino-Australia relationship "solid" with room for improvement: study

Xinhua, October 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australia maintains a "solid relationship" with China, but there is room for improvement, according to a report on bilateral relations between the two nations.

Released by the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI), the audit, conducted by lead researcher Thomas Boak, determined that two-way investment and diplomatic representation in both nations could be higher, but praised the recent efforts of both governments in securing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).

"This audit finds that the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has the potential to facilitate the diversification of Australian exports by granting Australian firms greater access to Chinese markets," Boak said in a statement on Tuesday.

"(But) findings indicate that while Australia receives a high level of Chinese foreign investment there is still significant room for two-way investment to grow. Australian foreign direct investment in China lags behind Singapore and South Korea," he added.

While Australia is behind other Asian nations in two-way relations, it is at the front of the pack when compared to western nations Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

The audit also found that leadership visits between the two countries were at a high, with the close proximity between Australia and China thought to be a key factor in diplomatic overseas travel.

"Australian prime ministers have visited China six times between 2005 and May 2015, which is higher than the corresponding figures for New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the United States," the statement from the ACRI read.

However, the report detailed that China and Australia could see eye-to-eye on a number of other, key foreign policy issues.

"Comparing UN voting records also shows that Australia votes with China in the UN General Assembly less than most of the other nations surveyed," Boak said.

The report also said that under the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull, the Sino-Australia relationship would likely return to a "largely pragmatic China policy" when compared with the previous Abbott government.

"Considering Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's previous comments on China and approval of the ChAFTA the Turnbull government is likely to pursue the same pragmatic approach," Boak said. Enditem