On 10 April, China's Minister of Commerce Chen Deming visited Australia. In Canberra, Minister Chen met with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, and held talks with Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Dr Craig Emerson. The two sides also signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Department of Infrastructure and Transport of Australia on Enhancing Cooperation in Infrastructure Construction. H.E. Mr Chen Yuming, the Chinese Ambassador to Australia was presented at the meetings. 

Minister Chen said that the main purposes of his visit are to facilitate China-Australia free trade agreement negotiations and sign the MOU on infrastructure cooperation. This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. The two countries have achieved noticeable outcomes in exchanges and practical cooperation in economic and trade areas. Mutually beneficial cooperation has continued to develop and economic and trade relations between China and Australia are witnessing a sound momentum featuring all-round interactions at multiple levels and in wide-ranging areas. The peoples of the two countries have received real benefit. China and Australia have great potential in cooperation in infrastructure development, which holds a wide prospect. China stands ready to work with Australia and keep expanding cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit to further develop trade and economic relations between the two countries. Minister Chen also reiterated China's position on the question of Huawei company. 

The Australian side said that China-Australia relations have grown strongly, and the two countries conducted effective cooperation in multilateral areas. Australia pays close attention to the impact of changing global economic pattern on Asia-Pacific, and hopes that while the two countries need to continue successful cooperation in the near term, they should also make good planning for cooperation in the long term. The two countries celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations this year and the signing of MOU on infrastructure cooperation is a new milestone in bilateral economic and trade relations. Both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Enlarging economic and trade cooperation with China serves Australia's interests. The Australian government views China's rise as an opportunity and Australia is ready to further strengthen cooperation with China in agriculture and infrastructure and facilitate an early conclusion of the bilateral FTA negotiations. The Australian side also expressed welcome for Huawei's operation in Australia.