As China and Australia mark a decade of free trade partnership, officials and business leaders from both sides at a high-level forum in Melbourne emphasized that the story of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement goes beyond bilateral trade, as it represents a shared commitment to global rules, mutual benefit, and the belief that cooperation remains possible even in a fragmented world.

"ChAFTA is the first high-quality free trade agreement China signed with a major Western developed country and a milestone in the China-Australia economic relations," said Wang Wentao, China's Minister of Commerce.

"Ten years on, ChAFTA has served as an important engine in developing fruitful outcomes in the bilateral economic and trade cooperation," Wang said in a speech via video.

"Economic complementarity has transformed into real benefits. More and more Australian premium agricultural and food products and minerals have entered the Chinese market. Chinese electronic products, machinery and consumer goods are increasingly popular among Australian consumers."

Wang noted at present, the international landscape is filled with changes and turbulence, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, China is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Australia to adhere to cooperation and openness, and avoid isolation and confrontation.

"Trade war produces no winner. All countries are victims without being immune to it," Wang said, and reiterated China's firm support for the WTO-centered multilateral trading system.

Wang said that China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, and actively advance China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, in an effort to create an institutional environment that is transparent, stable and predictable.

Sharing opportunities

"We will share development opportunities and dividends with the rest of the world," Wang added.

Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, praised ChAFTA for its "substantial benefits for both Australia and China".

Since coming into force in December 2015, two-way trade has more than doubled to A$312 billion ($204 billion). And that growth has resulted in "more jobs, more investment and greater prosperity for Australia," he said.

Farrell reflected on his visit to the China International Import Expo in Shanghai last year, where he saw "just how much Chinese consumers value Australian products".

"ChAFTA is more than just a free trade agreement. It was and remains a symbol of the benefits for both our countries that can be realized by deeper cooperation," he noted.

Attended by nearly 400 delegates and co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia and the Australia China Business Council, the 2025 Australia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum was held in Melbourne on June 17 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of signing the ChAFTA. It underscored how free trade has helped both nations weather global turbulence and chart a path for deeper, more resilient cooperation.

David Olsson, president of the Australia China Business Council, said the world is now dealing with much larger shifts and ChAFTA needs to evolve to remain useful.

Olsson said the green economy is the defining opportunity for the decade ahead.

"China brings scale manufacturing leadership and global reach in renewable factories and green infrastructure. Australia brings critical minerals and world-class research capability," Olsson said.

"If we use this period wisely — not only to strengthen ChAFTA but to modernize our own industry capability — we give ourselves a far better chance to attract the sort of investment that will underpin long-term growth in Australia," he added.