Australian Treasurer, Trade Minister Head to China for Talks

By Jesse Riseborough

Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan and Trade Minister Simon Crean departed for China today for talks on growing commerce between the two nations and the response to turmoil in global economies.

Swan and Crean will meet senior officials in Beijing including Zhang Ping, the head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, and Commerce Minister Chen Deming, according to an joint e-mailed statement from the treasurer and trade minister today.

“The purpose of the trip is to discuss our growing investment and trade relationship,” the statement said. “Ministers will also discuss the international response to the global financial crisis, and the role of G20.”

China was Australia’s largest trade partner in 2007 with two-way trade in goods and services totaling A$58 billion ($37 billion), the statement said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jesse Riseborough in Melbourne at jriseborough@bloomberg.net