Between 24 February and 28 February, Ambassador Fu Ying has made an official visit to the Northern Territory (NT), the most northern part of Australia. During her visit, she has met with important political personage including Chief Minister, Chief Justice, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Mayor of Darwin. While making extensive contact with people in local industrial and commercial circles as well as in Chinese communities, Madam Fu has also listened to the comprehensive briefing on the resources of Northern Territory given by Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development of NT and enterprises. Officials of all ranks and people from all walks of life in Northern Territory have shown keen interest in enhancing the cooperation with China.

During various meetings and association, Madam Fu has focused her understanding on the economic and social development of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory lies on the northern border of Australia. While its area accounts for one sixth of the Australian national land area which actually exceeds the combined area total of France, Italy and Spain, Northern Territory only has one percent of the total population of Australia. Meanwhile, the rich mineral resources and extraordinary natural beauty of Northern Territory has enjoyed great reputation both at home and abroad.

Northern Territory has several world-class major mines. Among those, the reserve of manganese, zinc, lead and silver all rank the world's fourth largest. It also has uranium, gold and bauxite mines of relatively large scales. On a recent Investment Attraction Ranking of World's Leading Resources Producing Regions, Northern Territory holds the eighth position. At present, in terms of annual mining production of Australia, Northern Territory is the largest in manganese, the second-largest in uranium, lead and zinc as well as the fourth-largest in gold and Bauxite. In addition, Northern Territory also boasts many famous scenic spots such as Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Ayers Rock and Katherine Gorge that feature unique rocky sceneries and aboriginal cultures. Among those, Kakadu National Park is listed World Natural Heritage by the United Nation.

 Katherine Gorge

White Ant Mountain

Having been briefed, Madam Fu has offered some concrete advice in relation to the development of cooperation between China and Northern Territory. Madam Fu pointed out that Northern Territory is not only rich in mining, tourism and education resources but also Australia's gateway to Asia, which provides fairly favorable condition for strengthening cooperative relationship with China to mutual benefits. However, compared with the overall rapid growth in Sino-Australia economic and trade relationship, the cooperation between Northern Territory and China has relatively lagged behind and many favorable conditions have not been brought into full play. In the field of resources, Chinese enterprises have taken a great interest in investment and it is hoped that the Northern Territory Government would offer appropriate information and convenience when inviting tenders for new resource projects. In relation to tourism, it is advised that while the promotion targeted China market should be strengthened by featuring local characteristics and developing new activities such as fishing and exploration, there is great merit in actively conducting research into the possibility of linking up the tourist routes between Southeast Asia and Northern Territory. In terms of education, Northern Territory should also actively create more competitive conditions compared to universities in southern regions. For example, measures can be taken to encourage those Chinese students whose English levels are not up to the admission standard to use NT as a threshold of furthering their study in Australia. In order to attract more Chinese students to study in NT, the educational charges should be appropriately reduced whereas the logistic service standards would require improvement. Madam Fu also suggested the development of mutual cooperation in fields such as desert management, fruit and vegetables as well as fishing and seafood processing.

Madam Fu also indicated that since Anhui Province of China and Northern Territory became Sister Province and State, the friendly cooperative relationship between the two regions have progressed smoothly. A while ago, Mr. Su Pingfan, vice chairman of the People's Congress of Ahhui Province passed away due to his disease during his visit to Darwin. The Northern Territory Government has offered great assistance and support in handling this unfortunate incident. Madam Fu took the opportunity to express her thanks and appreciation to Madam Martin and the Northern Territory Government on behalf of the People's Congress of Anhui Province and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chief Minister Madam Martin indicates that the Northern Territory Government have attached significant attention in developing exchange and cooperation with China in many ways in fields ranging from economy and trade, tourism and education and culture. Northern Territory is keenly interested in becoming the bridgehead of China's entrance to Australia market. The insightful advice aiming to enhance mutual cooperation offered by Ambassador Fu has provided new food for thought for the Northern Territory Government.

On the 27th, Madam Fu attended the welcoming dinner party held by the local Chinese communities in Northern Territory. On the evening, the Chinese Guild Hall was decked with lanterns and buntings and reverberated with the cheerful sound of gongs and drums. A group of traditional Chinese lion dancers greeted Madam Fu at the front gate upon her arrival. On the occasion, Madam Fu expressed her thanks for endeavours that the local Chinese communities and overseas Chinese have made towards the development of friendly cooperation between China and Northern Territory. She hoped that different Chinese groups and societies would continue to make joint efforts so as to make constructive contribution to the development of Northern Territory's economy and its cooperation with China.

 Madam Fu and Mayor of Darwin attended the welcoming dinner party
held by the local Chinese communities in Northern Territory