Australia Trade Minister seeks to mend ties on visit to China
The Hindu
Australia’s Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell appears to be making progress in restoring a nearly decade-long rift in relations with China during a visit to Beijing.
Australia's Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell appears to be making progress in restoring a nearly decade-long rift in relations with China during a visit to Beijing.
Mr. Farrell was holding meetings and visiting businesses on May 12 in a sign that relations were getting back on track.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaking in Sydney on May 12 said the sides needed to “develop understanding and dialogue and I've said we'll co-operate with China where we can, we'll disagree where we must and we'll engage in a national interest.”
China is Australia's biggest trading partner, with two-way exchanges totalling $287 billion in 2022. China recently resumed imports of coal, cotton and copper from Australia, and Mr. Farrell has said on his visit he would push for a review of tariffs on Australian barley.
China blocked such exports in retaliation for moves targeting Beijing's alleged interference in Australian elections and political life and social organisations in the large Australian-Chinese community.
While trade ties seem to be improving, the sides remain far apart on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
On his arrival on May 11, Mr. Farrell said he hoped his visit would “continue that process of stabilising our relationship and work through a successful pathway for the resolution of all of our outstanding trade differences.”
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