China human rights not FTA issue: Downer
The Age, Australia, March 14, 2005
China human rights not FTA issue: Downer
Australia should not try to raise human rights issues with China if formal talks about a free trade agreement begin, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says.
Prime Minister John Howard hinted Australia would soon sign up to formal talks on a free trade deal with China even though it meant giving ground on anti-dumping protections.
Mr Downer said nothing would be gained by Australia raising human rights issues with the Chinese during any trade talks.
"If you try to get into a trade negotiation ... if you make human rights issues conditions of trade negotiations that will be rejected with China, or for that matter with any other country," he told ABC radio.
"You’re not going to succeed in getting the human rights agenda mixed with the trade agenda.
"You won’t get the free trade agreement and you won’t get any improvements in human rights.
"So it’s a symbolic thing to do but it would be utterly fruitless."
Mr Downer said formal free trade talks would only begin after the federal government worked out whether it would recognise China as a free market economy.
If the federal government decides to do so it will be harder for local companies to take action if China decides to flood Australia with cheap goods.
© 2005 AAP
