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China-Australia relations
EconomyGlobal Economy

Exclusive | China-Australia trade talks have Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‘anticipating’ Beijing visit later this year

  • Australian trade minister Don Farrell ‘will advocate for the removal of trade impediments’ during a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao next week
  • Sources say the next steps amid easing relations will see Farrell first visit Beijing before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later this year

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Beijing imposed both official and unofficial bans on a variety of Australian products, including coal, lobsters, barley and wine, after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origin of Covid-19. Photo: EPA-EFE
Kandy Wong

The first high-profile trade talks between China and Australia in more than three years next week are expected to pave the way for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit Beijing later this year, two sources with direct knowledge of the issue said.

Trade minister Don Farrell said on Tuesday that he had “organised” to hold a virtual meeting next week with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in a further sign of easing bilateral tensions, which have raised hopes that China may remove years of import bans and restrictions on Australian products.

Albanese then “looks forward to seeing” a face-to-face meeting between Farrell and Wang as the next step, said the sources, who took part in a closed-door meeting with the Australian prime minister on Wednesday.

The sources also confirmed Albanese is then “anticipating to visit Beijing” later this year, although a timetable has yet to be agreed.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the meeting “is another significant step as we stabilise the relationship between our two countries”, adding that “a decision on further meetings will be made at an appropriate time”.

It is in both countries’ interest for trade impediments to be removed.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

“Ministers are expected to discuss a range of trade and investment issues between Australia and China. Minister Farrell will advocate for the removal of trade impediments which continue to affect a wide range of Australian exports to China,” said a department statement sent to the Post on Thursday.

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