The first chart illustrates the value of goods that Australia imported from and exported to China between 1998 and 2004, while the second chart categorizes the types of goods imported from China to Australia in 2003 and 2004.
Overall it is clearly evident that, imports from China to Australia consistently surpassed exports to China over the period. Additionally, machinery accounted for the largest share of imports in both years, while clothing remained the least significant category.
In the first chart, the value of imports from China increased steadily from approximately $10 billion in 1998 to around $40 billion in 2004. Conversely, exports to China also grew during this time but at a slower rate, rising from roughly $10 billion in 1998 to slightly over $20 billion in 2004. This created a widening trade deficit for Australia with China over the years.
In the second chart, machinery was the leading import type, with values exceeding $8 billion in 2004, slightly up from 2003. Electronic goods followed, with imports valued at around $6 billion in both years. Furniture and clothing contributed relatively smaller amounts, with clothing being the least significant, accounting for less than $2 billion in both years.