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China wants AI in expanded trade deal with Australia

China wants AI in expanded trade deal with Australia

The Advertiser6 hours ago
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US.
With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison.
"China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday.
"Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress."
Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports.
The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement.
"We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote.
The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use.
There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh.
"It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP.
"It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership.
"Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks."
Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship.
In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network.
The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout.
Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security.
"It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said.
"So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge.
"China will be interested in partnering with us.
"We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system.
"There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has."
As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism.
China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said.
Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US.
With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison.
"China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday.
"Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress."
Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports.
The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement.
"We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote.
The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use.
There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh.
"It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP.
"It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership.
"Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks."
Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship.
In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network.
The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout.
Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security.
"It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said.
"So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge.
"China will be interested in partnering with us.
"We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system.
"There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has."
As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism.
China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said.
Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US.
With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison.
"China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday.
"Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress."
Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports.
The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement.
"We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote.
The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use.
There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh.
"It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP.
"It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership.
"Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks."
Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship.
In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network.
The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout.
Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security.
"It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said.
"So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge.
"China will be interested in partnering with us.
"We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system.
"There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has."
As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism.
China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said.
Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
Strengthening ties between Chinese and Australian artificial intelligence researchers could be on the agenda when the prime minister visits China this week, as Beijing seeks to capitalise on trade tensions with the US.
With President Donald Trump's tariffs straining relations with Australia's traditionally closest ally, China's top diplomat in Australia Xiao Qian has called for greater collaboration in fields like AI, healthcare and green energy under a revised free-trade deal between the two nations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China on Saturday comes as the Sino-Australian relationship continues to build following a downturn in relations under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison.
"China and Australia are natural partners with complementary economic strengths," Mr Xiao wrote in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review on Monday.
"Standing at a new historical starting point, now is the time to advance bilateral relations with steady progress."
Trade volumes between the two nations have bounced back after China lifted sanctions on Australian exports.
The ambassador believes Mr Albanese's visit marks an opportunity to broaden the terms of the 10-year-old free-trade agreement.
"We are willing to review the agreement with a more open attitude and higher standard, further consolidate co-operation in traditional areas such as agriculture and mining, and actively explore new growth areas in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, healthcare, green energy, and the digital economy, elevating practical co-operation to new heights," Mr Xiao wrote.
The promotion of AI ties, amid the Albanese government's agenda to boost productivity, follows similar provisions in recently signed trade deals between Australia and partners such as Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
These clauses encourage sharing AI research and commercialisation opportunities between the countries, as well as promoting its responsible use.
There are attractive opportunities to deepen research collaboration in the fundamental science of AI, even though there are challenges to expanding the use of Chinese AI programs in Australia, said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh.
"It's going to be very hard for us to have too deep relationships within terms of AI, because you can touch upon things like data sovereignty and various other things that we value," the AI expert told AAP.
"It's not like just sending them gold and they take it, and that's the end of the partnership.
"Sharing technologies like AI could pose significant national security and other risks."
Allowing Chinese tech companies access to the Australian market has been a sore spot in the bilateral relationship.
In 2018, then-Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned the Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G infrastructure in Australia over concerns the Chinese government could force the company to hand over Australians' data or interfere with the network.
The decision prompted strenuous protests from Beijing and was a factor behind a subsequent diplomatic fallout.
Prof Walsh said there were still areas where collaboration could be beneficial without forfeiting Australian security.
"It's about exchanging people, it's training, it's us going to work with them and them coming to work with us," he said.
"So it's things that we've always done in terms of scientific exchange, supercharging our science, supercharging their science, and then building our own business off the back of that scientific knowledge.
"China will be interested in partnering with us.
"We have wonderful medical data, and we have a joined-up healthcare system.
"There's huge value in those national data sets we have that no one else has."
As the US drives a wedge through a fragmenting global order, Mr Xiao framed China as a like-minded partner for Australia - one that shares Australia's interests in pushing back against unilateralism and protectionism.
China is willing to work with Australia to strengthen multilateral organisations like the United Nations and ASEAN, safeguard regional peace and the international rules-based order, and advocate for free trade, the ambassador said.
Assistant Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the government was seeking to strengthen access to China - Australia's largest trading partner - in the best interests of Australians.
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The PM seems to have sunk below Ley's radar already
The PM seems to have sunk below Ley's radar already

Sydney Morning Herald

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The PM seems to have sunk below Ley's radar already

Anthony Albanese says he's been underestimated his entire life (' Ley pulls up Albanese for asserting independence ', July 7). Sussan Ley seems to be the latest to do so. As leader of the House in the Gillard minority government, Albanese was responsible for negotiating and navigating a record number of bills to success by careful interaction with various parliamentary stakeholders. It'scalled nuance; it's not a common trait among Liberals and seems completely absent among Nationals. Albanese's positioning of Australia in relation to Trump's America, ANZUS and AUKUS is just that. Ley's all-in approach is both foolhardy and dangerous when this mercurial American president demands obedience, only to reward it with humiliation. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield Sussan Ley appears not to see the opportunity for Australia to stake out a beneficial position vis-a-vis the US. 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This is both complicity in the current crime against the Palestinians and a gross betrayal of the Jewish people and their history. Sister Susan Connelly, Croydon Heritage vandals To add to the long list of heritage buildings in Sydney and the Blue Mountains demolished by neglect (Letter s, July 7) are many regional buildings. One prominent example is the former Kenmore Hospital near Goulburn. It was designed by government architect Walter Vernon and was a psychiatric hospital and military hospital during World War II. Its sporting fields were extensively used by Goulburn sporting clubs, and the complex was an important part of the local community and a big employer. It was decommissioned as a psychiatric hospital in the early 2000s. Despite being a state significant, listed heritage site, it was sold most recently in 2015 to a Chinese-owned company that reportedly had plans to develop it into retirement living spaces and educational facilities. 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His assertion that 'the majority' are not 'true men' is not only an unfair generalisation about male players but also, ironically, a sentiment that many women and girls who now enjoy the sport might actually welcome. Col Burns, Lugarno I also missed out on that sporting gene and have absolutely no interest in any sport. However, the science of evolution does pique my interest, and seeing (in passing) a goal scored or try success I am reminded (amusingly) that with flexed muscles, clenched fists and the baring of teeth we are not all that distant from our primate cousins. Very interesting. Trish Nielsen, Avalon Tragedy begets thanks The unfolding tragedy in Texas (' Children swept away by an 8m wall of water ', July 7) is a stark reminder of the courage and persistence of volunteers who give their time to helping others. We witness this here time and again and are ever thankful for their service. 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ASX falls as investors await key Trump, RBA decisions
ASX falls as investors await key Trump, RBA decisions

West Australian

timean hour ago

  • West Australian

ASX falls as investors await key Trump, RBA decisions

Cautious investors dragged the Australian sharemarket and dollar lower as they await the fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and whether or not the Reserve Bank will go through with its widely expected rate cut. The benchmark ASX 200 index slid 13.70 points or 0.16 per cent to finish Monday's trading at 8,589.30. The broader All Ordinaries also finished in the red down 15.50 points or 0.18 per cent to 8,826.40. The Australian dollar slumped 0.58 per cent and is now buying 65.10 US cents. It was a mixed day for markets with six of the 11 sectors finishing in the red, as the local bourse seesawed throughout the day's trading. Utilities were the standout, led by Origin Energy which jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 while APA Group was up 0.36 per cent to $8.39 and Meridian Energy finished in the green up 2.22 per cent to $5.53. It was also a strong day for the healthcare sector with CSL jumping 2.15 per cent to $247.98 while Sigma Healthcare rose 0.33 per cent to $3.02 and Pro Medicus closed 0.68 per cent higher to $309.98. CBA shares slipped 0.11 per cent to $177.81, NAB dropped 0.28 per cent to $39.04, Westpac slumped 0.45 per cent to $33.48 while ANZ finished in the red down 0.63 per cent to $30.13. Traders were cautious after US treasury secretary Scott Bessent informed the market the White House sent letters to its trading partners. But there were some mixed messages. Some White House staff said 12 letters were sent while others said 15, with nobody confirming who will receive a letter and what the new tariff rates will be. However, the White House said the revised levies would come into effect from August 1. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said traders were taking profits waiting for the fallout from a busy macroeconomic week. 'Starting with the RBA, it would be a shock if they went against what the market is pricing in at this time and there would probably be an uproar if they didn't cut rates,' he told NewsWire. Mr Sycamore said tariff rates would likely rise from an average of 14 to around 19 per cent on the back of these letters sent to 12 to 15 countries. 'Mr Trump did mention 70 per cent for some countries, but we don't know until that letter arrives and we see the headlines so again it makes sense to see a little bit of profit taking,' he said. In company news, Origin Energy jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 after reports the company was mulling over a demerger. Origin Energy, which owns a minority stake in UK business Octopus Energy, is reportedly seeking a demerger of its technology arm. On the other side, Northern Star Resources slumped 8.7 per cent after reporting gold sales for the 2025 financial year came in at the lower end of its revised guidance. It also set a weaker than forecasted guidance for 2026.

ASX slips as cautious investors take profits
ASX slips as cautious investors take profits

Perth Now

timean hour ago

  • Perth Now

ASX slips as cautious investors take profits

Cautious investors dragged the Australian sharemarket and dollar lower as they await the fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and whether or not the Reserve Bank will go through with its widely expected rate cut. The benchmark ASX 200 index slid 13.70 points or 0.16 per cent to finish Monday's trading at 8,589.30. The broader All Ordinaries also finished in the red down 15.50 points or 0.18 per cent to 8,826.40. The Australian dollar slumped 0.58 per cent and is now buying 65.10 US cents. It was a mixed day for markets with six of the 11 sectors finishing in the red, as the local bourse seesawed throughout the day's trading. The Australian sharemarket slipped as investors await key economic news. Picture NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard. Credit: News Corp Australia Utilities were the standout, led by Origin Energy which jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 while APA Group was up 0.36 per cent to $8.39 and Meridian Energy finished in the green up 2.22 per cent to $5.53. It was also a strong day for the healthcare sector with CSL jumping 2.15 per cent to $247.98 while Sigma Healthcare rose 0.33 per cent to $3.02 and Pro Medicus closed 0.68 per cent higher to $309.98. CBA shares slipped 0.11 per cent to $177.81, NAB dropped 0.28 per cent to $39.04, Westpac slumped 0.45 per cent to $33.48 while ANZ finished in the red down 0.63 per cent to $30.13. Traders were cautious after US treasury secretary Scott Bessent informed the market the White House sent letters to its trading partners. But there were some mixed messages. Some White House staff said 12 letters were sent while others said 15, with nobody confirming who will receive a letter and what the new tariff rates will be. Utilities was the standout sector. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia However, the White House said the revised levies would come into effect from August 1. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said traders were taking profits waiting for the fallout from a busy macroeconomic week. 'Starting with the RBA, it would be a shock if they went against what the market is pricing in at this time and there would probably be an uproar if they didn't cut rates,' he told NewsWire. Mr Sycamore said tariff rates would likely rise from an average of 14 to around 19 per cent on the back of these letters sent to 12 to 15 countries. 'Mr Trump did mention 70 per cent for some countries, but we don't know until that letter arrives and we see the headlines so again it makes sense to see a little bit of profit taking,' he said. In company news, Origin Energy jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 after reports the company was mulling over a demerger. Origin Energy, which owns a minority stake in UK business Octopus Energy, is reportedly seeking a demerger of its technology arm. On the other side, Northern Star Resources slumped 8.7 per cent after reporting gold sales for the 2025 financial year came in at the lower end of its revised guidance. It also set a weaker than forecasted guidance for 2026.

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