First of Australian gas supply arrives
29 June 2006
China and Australia will move forward with free trade talks, even as several sticking points slow negotiations. The announcement came as Australian Prime Minister John Howard visits China to mark the arrival of the first shipment of liquefied gas from that country. While in Shenzhen, Howard said his country is eager to enhance ties with China and promised that Australia would be a reliable supplier of energy to fuel its continued growth. The first shipment of gas is part of a US$19 billion deal signed in 2002 that has, in recent months, been hit by lower than expected demand for gas in China.