China, Australia should jointly safeguard WTO-based multilateral trading system amid global headwinds: Chinese commerce minister

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao meets with Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell on the sidelines of a WTO mini-ministerial meeting in Paris, France, on June 3, 2025. (Photo/Courtesy of MOFCOM)

China and Australia should enhance communication and coordination under multilateral and regional frameworks, defend international fairness and justice, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, in the face of severe challenges such as unilateralism, protectionism, and anti-globalization trends, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Tuesday, according to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell on the sidelines of a WTO mini-ministerial meeting in Paris on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two sides held pragmatic and constructive discussions on deepening China-Australia economic and trade relations and strengthening multilateral and regional economic cooperation, the MOFCOM said in a statement.

Wang emphasized the need to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, fully leverage the potential of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), create a favorable environment for business cooperation between the two countries, and jointly promote new progress in bilateral economic relations.

He said that this would help serve as both a stabilizer and a driver for building a more mature, stable, and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang thanked Australia for hosting the mini-ministerial meeting and invited Farrell to attend the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in China.

For his part, Farrell said that under the leadership of the Albanese government over the past three years, Australia and China have developed a sound and stable bilateral relationship, and the Australian Labor Party's decisive re-election victory reflected the deep public support for stronger relations with China, according to the MOFCOM statement.

The Albanese government will continue to firmly develop ties with China, fully utilize the positive role of the ChAFTA, and deepen economic and trade cooperation, Farrell said, noting that the country is also willing to strengthen collaboration with China within multilateral and regional frameworks such as the WTO and APEC to jointly uphold a rules-based multilateral trading system, according to the MOFCOM.

Farrell expressed his appreciation for China's invitation and said that he looks forward to visiting China in November to attend the CIIE and related events.