The Australian prime minister will travel to China in early November to meet with President Xi Jinping as the two trading partners try to mend their formerly icy relations.
Australian PM visit China: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the trip after China agreed to halt a lingering WTO dispute over high duties on Australian wine. The trip is scheduled to take place from November 4 to November 7.
In a statement, Albanese said, “I look forward to visiting China, an important step towards ensuring a stable and fruitful relationship.”
“I appreciate the strides we’ve made towards reintroducing Australian goods, including wine, to the Chinese market.”
At the height of a contentious battle with Australia’s former conservative government, China flexed its economic power in 2020 by slapping significant tariffs on important Australian commodities like barley, cattle, and wine.
The center-left government of Australia, elected in May last year, has gradually dialed down many of these hurdles by choosing a less combative stance.
“Earlier this month, Australia secured the release of their journalist Cheng Lei from China, who had detained her for over three years on speculative espionage claims.”
With Albanese’s trip, an Australian prime minister would not have visited China since 2016.
However, Albanese continued, “I look forward to cooperating with President Xi and Premier Li in Australia’s national interest.