Home Asean News Australia China Ties Warm Over Barley, Wine And Soon Lobsters And Premier...

Australia China Ties Warm Over Barley, Wine And Soon Lobsters And Premier Li Qiang

According to the South China Morning Post on Thursday, Chinaโ€™s Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Australia in June. This visit marks a recent development in the improving relationship between the two countries.

Australia and China, who trade with each other the most, are fixing their relationship after a tough time. Things got really bad in 2020 when Australia wanted an independent study to find out where COVID-19 came from.

The visit, planned for the third week of June, will happen at the same time as the end of an informal three-year block on the export of Australian live lobsters to China. This information comes from the paper, which spoke to two people in the know.

A spokesperson for Australiaโ€™s department of the prime minister and cabinet declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Chinaโ€™s foreign ministry said she had no specific information on the visit when queried at a regular press briefing.

โ€œWe are ready to stand with Australia โ€ฆ to strengthen high level exchanges, deepen cooperation, increase mutual understanding, and bring China-Australia relations onto a more mature, stable and fruitful track,โ€ said the official, Mao Ning.

Nitin A Gokhale WhatsApp Channel

Following a government shift in Canberra two years ago, Beijing has decided to remove most tariffs on Australian products such as barley and wine. Lobsters are among the few items that still have restrictions.

โ€œWe welcome the efforts โ€ฆ to improve diplomatic relations,โ€ said a spokesperson for Geraldton Fishermenโ€™s Co-Operative, Australiaโ€™s largest rock lobster exporter.

โ€œRestoring market access is a win-win and will contribute to Australiaโ€™s economy through export earnings, jobs and regional development.โ€

After Chinese counterpart Wang Yiโ€™s visit, Foreign Minister Penny Wong mentioned last month that she anticipates a visit from Li this year, though she didnโ€™t specify the date.

With Inputs from Reuters