On September 4, 2007, during Chinese President Hu Jintao visiting Australia, Sinosteel Corp. signed the Framework Agreement of Channar JV Extension Cooperation with Rio Tinto Ltd. in Perth, Australia. According to the agreement, the both parties agreed on further communicate on Channar JV Extension Cooperation, and renewal the existing sales agreement.
Sinosteel President Huang Tianwen, Rio Tinto Ltd. CEO Sam Walsh signed on the agreement on behalf of each party. China National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Ma Kai, West Australia Premier Alan Carpenter attended the signing ceremony as official eyewitnesses.
Before the signing ceremony, first of all West Australia Premier Alan Carpenter delivered an address. He said with the closer and more important relationship between China and West Australia, the bilateral cooperation has fast developed in all fields. China is now the most important trading partner of West Australia. Channar JV is the longest and the most successful trading cooperation apotheosis between Australia and China. West Australian Government will continue to support the beneficial cooperation, and promote long-term co-develop.
China National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Ma Kai expressed his congratulation on his address to the signing agreement.
On the signing ceremony, Rio Tinto Ltd. CEO Sam Walsh expressed that since the establishment of Channar JV on November 1987, there was great change, but the long-term and successful friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been stood the test of time.
Sinosteel President Huang Tianwen pointed out that the transit developed course of out of common for twenty years time, Channar JV already become a cooperation model between Sinosteel and Rio Tinto Ltd., also between China and Australia. The Channar JV will supply 200 million tons iron ore mine, and also bring great mutually benefit. The establishment of the agreement will provide a new-level for the two countries.
Sinosteel Vice President Jiang Hong, heads of President’s Office, International Cooperation Dept., Sinosteel Trading, Sinosteel Mining, Sinosteel Australia Pty., Sinosteel Australia Mining Pty., and relatives of Chinese and local government, Rio Tinto Ltd., financial organization and media representative, all round eighty people attended the signing ceremony.
Sinosteel President Huang Tianwen, Rio Tinto Ltd. CEO Sam Walsh Signing on the Agreement on Behalf of Each Party
China National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Ma Kai Delivering an Address
West Australia Premier Alan Carpenter Delivering an Address
Chairman Ma Kai Talking with President Huang Tianwen
Group Photography of Signing Ceremony
President Huang Receiving Interview from Australian Media