cooperation between wa and china

Thanks to Miningnews.net

WA lures China

Emily Holme

Tuesday, April 27, 2004
THE Western Australian Government says an agreement signed last week with China will be a precursor for increased Chinese investment in the state's major resources projects.

The agreement, said to be the first of its type brokered by a WA government, could see the state play a much bigger part in helping China satisfy its increasing requirements for liquified natural gas, iron ore, alumina, nickel and timber pulp.

"The state's rapidly developing trading relations with China are playing an important role in maintaining WA's position as Australia's leading state economy," state development minister Clive Brown said from Beijing last week.

"Over the last 18 months, we have seen the $25 billion LNG export deal between the North West Shelf and the Guangdong Province and a similar agreement between the Gorgon Joint Venture and CNOOC.

"We have also seen a record iron ore export deal between BHP Billiton and Chinese steel mills.

"Today's agreement recognises the potential for WA to play an even greater role in China's economic development and could pave the way for increased Chinese investment in new major energy and resources projects in this state."

Initiatives will include:

The establishment of a China-WA Investment Facilitation Working Group to meet regularly in China and exchange information on potential investment opportunities in WA and the progress of major energy and resources projects involving potential Chinese investment in WA.


An annual seminar held by China Industrial Overseas Development and Planning Association and WA Department of Industry and Resources focusing on the investment environment and opportunities in the energy and resources sectors in WA.


A seminar on LNG and iron and steel (including steelmaking raw materials) in the late 2004.


A joint study on possible strategic cooperation between China and WA, including the potential for processing in the state to satisfy China's long-term demand for steel.

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