Positive outcome of historic talks with Chinese President

9/9/99

Premier Richard Court has described as very positive his historic talks today with the President of China Jiang Zemin about the future trade of Western Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China.
The meeting was significant in that it was the first time that a Western Australian Premier had met with a Chinese President.
Mr Court said the meeting was a further step towards the State achieving its goal of becoming the first supplier of LNG to China.
"The meeting was an opportunity to further reinforce, at the highest possible level, WA's strengths as a first class supplier of LNG to world markets," the Premier said.
Mr Court said the meeting was a further step towards the State achieving its goal of becoming the first supplier of LNG to China.
"The meeting was an opportunity to further reinforce, at the highest possible level, WA's strengths as a first-class supplier of LNG to world markets," he said.
"During the meeting the President recognised WA's abundant resources and its close proximity to China. He said the State should have confidence as negotiations over the supply of LNG to China progressed.
"The President also reflected on his visit to WA in 1987 while he was the Mayor of Shanghai which included an inspection of the iron ore operations in the Pilbara.
"He also commented on the success of the Channar joint venture in the Pilbara. WA's proven track record with the iron ore trade with China will assist current negotiations.
"Securing China as a market for WA LNG would provide a multi-billion-dollar boost to the State's economy and would involve investment of many billions of dollars in LNG industries in the North-West of WA."
Since October 1997 the Premier has on three occasions headed an Australian delegation to China and has met with the Premier of China, Zhu Rongji, and other senior Government officials to discuss the trade of LNG to China.
Mr Court said the signing earlier this week of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the State Development Planning Commission - China's principal Government agency for major projects - which recognised Australian LNG, was another positive step in the process of securing the China market for WA LNG.
The Premier met with President Jiang before he and other State and Territory leaders attended a lunch for His Excellency to celebrate the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Head of State.
Media contact Bronwyn Hillman 9222 9475