Australia-China High Level Dialogue

Today I will attend the second Australia-China High-Level Dialogue, delivering on an election commitment to establish an annual dialogue bringing together leading voices on both sides of the Australia-China relationship.

This year's Dialogue in Sydney will be attended by representatives from government, business, academic institutions, think tanks, the media and the arts to examine under Chatham House rules the entirety of the Australia-China relationship.

The Dialogue comes at a time of enormous achievement in the relationship – following the conclusion of the historic China‑Australia Free Trade Agreement.

An unprecedented number of Australian and Chinese students and tourists are also choosing to travel and study in each other's countries.

Australia and China have a strong shared interest in promoting stability and prosperity in our region and work closely in APEC and the East Asia Summit. We look forward to strengthening this cooperation as China hosts the G20 in the coming year.

Delegates will consider the future shape and direction of the relationship, how to deepen our ties across the breadth of our common interests and priorities, and reflect on what more we can do.

As the Australian Government is working to strengthen our relationship with China we recognise the best ideas and the most energetic action will come from the many stakeholders already investing in the bilateral relationship.

I look forward to joining the Australian and Chinese delegations in a constructive and open exchange of ideas.