Media release

30/03/2007

Australia and China Celebrate 25 years of Development Cooperation

Over 100 representatives from Chinese government ministries, the Australian Embassy, Australia's Youth Ambassador's Program and AusAID projects in China attended a function to celebrate 25 years of development cooperation.

The function was held in Beijing on 27 March co-hosted by the Australian Government's Development Agency, AusAID, and the Ministry of Commerce.

Australia has been making a real difference to people's lives in China since becoming the first western bilateral donor to China in 1981. Some of Australia's key achievements include:

Over A$1billion or RMB6 billion of aid since 1981
Critical long term support to China's entry into the World Trade Organization
Urgent and immediate technical support to China in response to the 2003 SARS epidemic.

Australian experts have worked side by side with Chinese counterparts in many of the poorest areas in China tackling poverty by helping to improve rural development, farming practices, environmental management, basic health services, and water supplies.

Annmaree O'Keeffe Deputy Director General of Australia's Agency for International Development, AusAID, commented that 'success has been achieved because we have all worked together building the partnership between our two Governments, and fostering a sense of partnership - based on common objectives - among all those involved'.

On the future direction of Australia's programs Ms O'Keeffe noted 'our partnership will be focused on supporting equity in China's development and addressing the factors that underpin poverty and less on direct poverty alleviation'. 'The strategy is aligned with China's economic reforms and supports China's own agenda of balanced development' Ms O'Keeffe said.

Contact: Peter Jensen 10 5140 4408