Continuously expanding the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas is a key measure for China to advance high-level opening-up. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). The Ministry of Commerce of China will host the session “Forum on the 10th Anniversary of the Implementation of the ChAFTA” of the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum. The forum on the ChAFTA aims to review the progress of the Agreement, look ahead to its future development, and promote win-win cooperation through high-level opening-up. It will be held in Hall 4.2 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on the afternoon of November 5th.

The ChAFTA is China's first high-standard free trade agreement signed with a major developed country. Over the past decade, despite challenges and headwind, the ChAFTA has delivered fruitful outcomes, which not only significantly advanced the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, but also served as a successful practice for countries to expand their opening-up to each other and achieve win-win results. The current international economic and trade order confronts with severe challenges brought by unilateralism and protectionism. In this context, remaining true to the original aspiration of the ChAFTA and creating more mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation through further opening up is of profound significance to the stability and development of the region and the world.

At a new historical starting point, how can the ChAFTA better meet the envolving needs of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and provide institutional safeguard at an elevated level? Can cooperation in traditional advantageous fields such as energy, minerals and agri-food products be further expanded? How to tap the cooperation potential in new areas such as green technology, digital economy, medical treatment and health care? How to strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains? The guests of this forum will bring you professional and unique insights.

The main guests include (in speaking order):

Yi Xiaozhun, Former Vice Minister of Commerce, Former Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Former China' s ambassador to the WTO

Andrew Robb, Former Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism of Australia

Wang Xinkui, Chariman of the Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Center

Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China)

Chen Mingliang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters, CCCMC

Ragnar Udd, Chief Commercial Officer of BHP

Wu Kai, Goldwind VP & Chairman of Goldwind International

Meggie Zhang, China Country Chair & Chief Representative of Woodside Energy

Zhang Ping, Chairman of the Board of Beijing Jingneng International Power Co., Ltd.

Kitty Liu, Greater China Managing Director of Blackmores

James Laurenceson, Professor and Director, Australia–China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney

Benny Wang, Senior Vice President of Trip.com Group

Michael Ruggiero, Global Senior VP & Head of Government Affairs of CSL

Bonnie Zhao, Country Manager for the Commonwealth of Nations, Head of User Product at AliExpress

Yu Lu, Vice President of China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, CFNA

Anna Fedeles, General Manager of International Operations of the Trade and Investment Queensland

Liu Hui, Deputy General Manager of China National Agricultural Development Group Co., Ltd. (CNADC)

Tom King, Treasury Wine Estates’ Managing Director for Penfolds

David Jiang, General Manager of Strategic Brands& Category Business Group/ General Manager of International Logistics Center of Joy Wing Mau Fruit Technologies Co., Ltd.

Representatives from enterprises of the two countries in various areas, including energy and minerals, science and technology, digital trade, tourism, healthcare and agri-food products, will attend the forum as professional audiences to envisage the future of the ChAFTA.

The forum is organized by the CFNA, and supported by the AustCham China.