Delegation of Australian ministers to visit China in sign of improving ties

After years of icy ties, Australia will send a delegation of federal ministers to a high-level meeting in Beijing next week.

At the meeting on September 7, delegates will talk about regional and international security, as well as commerce and investment, and ties between people.

First held in early 2020, this discourse is significant because it is a step toward deeper bilateral engagement and a more stable relationship with China.

“Saturday,” Minister Penny Wong declared.
The minister met with Wang Yi, China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, in Beijing in December, and the two agreed to restart the negotiations.

Wong remarked that this would allow for increased communication and collaboration between the two nations in areas of mutual interest.

A month after China removed an oppressive 3 year old tariff on Australian barley, talks have restarted between the two countries.

evidence of the strengthening bilateral trade ties following the change in Australia’s administration.

In May of 2020, China imposed a tax of 80.5% on Australian barley, thus cutting off trade with Australia.
It was widely believed that Australia’s previous government was targeted for passing laws prohibiting foreign covert interference in domestic politics, blocking China’s telecom giant Huawei from rolling out Australia’s 5G network over security concerns, and requesting an independent investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which led to the imposition of trade barriers.

Ex-Coalition Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will be in attendance as a delegate and session lead, and ex-Labor Trade Minister Craig Emerson will be co-chairing the event. The Chinese delegation will be co-chaired and led by Li Zhaoxing, China’s former foreign minister and the current Honorary President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.