Australian Prime Minister Reportedly to Visit China in November, Meet With Xi Jinping
Australian Prime Minister Reportedly to Visit China in November, Meet With Xi Jinping
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – In February, China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao spoke with his Australian counterpart, Trade Minister Don Farrell, in their first... 22.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will go on a three-day visit to China in November to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, media reported on Sunday, citing the prime minister. The last Australian prime minister to visit China was Malcolm Turnbull, who traveled to the country in 2016, the report added.The announcement of the visit came after China agreed to lift tariffs of up to 220% on Australian wine exports imposed in 2020, media reported, adding that China will conduct an "expedited" review of the wine tariffs that is expected to take five months. The report also noted that until the review is completed, the dispute between the two countries within the World Trade Organization will be suspended. On February 6, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao spoke with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell in their first bilateral meeting since 2019, which was widely interpreted as a sign that both sides wanted to improve relations. On March 15, China lifted a ban on Australian coal that was set to expire at the end of 2020. On April 11, Canberra suspended its World Trade Organization case against Beijing after a deal was reached on Australian barley. Despite possible improvements in Australian-Chinese relations, the countries' defense interests keep colliding. In March, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that claims by the AUKUS (Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom) countries that they would adhere to the principles of nuclear non-proliferation were hypocritical as Australia planned to build a nuclear submarine fleet. Beijing added that the bloc kept following a misguided and dangerous path, putting its own geopolitical goals ahead of the concerns of the international community.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – In February, China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao spoke with his Australian counterpart, Trade Minister Don Farrell, in their first bilateral meeting since 2019, which was widely interpreted as a sign that both sides are keen to improve relations.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will go on a three-day visit to China in November to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, media reported on Sunday, citing the prime minister.
The last Australian prime minister to visit China was Malcolm Turnbull, who traveled to the country in 2016, the report added.
The announcement of the visit came after China agreed to lift tariffs of up to 220% on Australian wine exports imposed in 2020, media reported, adding that China will conduct an "expedited" review of the wine tariffs that is expected to take five months.
"I welcome the progress we have made to return Australian products, including Australian wine, to the Chinese market. Strong trade benefits both countries," Albanese was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The report also noted that until the review is completed, the dispute between the two countries within the World Trade Organization will be suspended.
Waitresses prepare for meal time at the media center near a display depicting China's Silk Road during the forum held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
Waitresses prepare for meal time at the media center near a display depicting China's Silk Road during the forum held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
Workers prepare for the Third Belt and Road Forum held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
On February 6, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao spoke with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell in their first bilateral meeting since 2019, which was widely interpreted as a sign that both sides wanted to improve relations. On March 15, China lifted a ban on Australian coal that was set to expire at the end of 2020. On April 11, Canberra suspended its World Trade Organization case against Beijing after a deal was reached on Australian barley.
Despite possible improvements in Australian-Chinese relations, the countries' defense interests keep colliding. In March, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that claims by the AUKUS (Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom) countries that they would adhere to the principles of nuclear non-proliferation were hypocritical as Australia planned to build a nuclear submarine fleet. Beijing added that the bloc kept following a misguided and dangerous path, putting its own geopolitical goals ahead of the concerns of the international community.
