China trade relationship slowly yielding progress

Mr Wang said Senator Farrell's visit to Beijing earlier this month was positive, resulting in the removal of bans on Australian timber imports worth $600 million.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, said the government had been putting its case.

"Quietly, quietly, we're seeing those big results start to come through," he told Sky News on Sunday. 

"We've got a very good case to put when it comes to ... the benefits of a rules-based trade system. 

"That's what Minister Farrell has been doing."

Senator Farrell has reaffirmed he wants to see the removal of the remaining trade bans as soon as possible.