China-Australia FTA to create, not take, local jobs

BEIJING - The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will create, not take, jobs in Australia.

MOC spokesman Shen Danyang said in a news conference on Tuesday that increasing Chinese investment following the FTA will help improve transport, telecommunication, tourism, environment, electricity infrastructures in Australia.

"Chinese investment will not take local jobs. Rather, it will create more," said Shen.

He made the remarks after Australian media reported that thousands of union workers rallied in Sydney last week against the FTA, which would threaten their jobs.

The two countries signed the FTA in June, relaxing and lifting many restrictions on bilateral trade and investment. The agreement made it easier for the flow of personnel between the two countries.

The MOC spokesman said China has promised to facilitate the visit and stay of Australians, and Chinese construction workers are allowed to replace their counterparts in Australia only under certain circumstances written down in the FTA.

"Some of the media reports were partial," said Shen.