National

Australia and China prepare to reset trade relationship

By AAP Newswire

Jan 31, 2023

Shipping containers at Port Botany. — Top Australian and Chinese trade officials will meet next week in a sign of improving relations. -AAP Image

Top trade officials from Australia and China are set to meet for the first time in three years, signalling further improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Trade Minister Don Farrell will take part in the highly anticipated virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao next week.

China's $20 billion trade sanctions on Australian products including barley, rock lobsters and wine are expected to be at the top of the meeting's agenda.

The meeting will mark the first time in three years ministers responsible for trade have met and could prompt an in-person meeting later in the year.

Mr Farrell said he wanted to start the process of removing the trade sanctions hurting Australian producers and the economy.

But he warned it would take time to resolve all the issues in China-Australia diplomatic relations.

"It is my objective, as quickly as possible, to stabilise this relationship and get our products back in front of the Chinese consumers," he told ABC's 7.30.

"These problems are not going to be solved overnight and all of the problems are not going to be solved straight away, but we need to start the process."

Mr Farrell's meeting follows a successful visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Penny Wong in December.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November.