Australian minister heads to China seeking 'unimpeded' trade

SYDNEY, Australia - Australia's trade minister flew to Beijing on Thursday, vowing to press China to scrap punitive tariffs on his country's exports.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said he held out hope for "unimpeded" commerce with Australia's largest trade partner after years of troubled economic and diplomatic ties.

"During my visit, I will be advocating strongly for the full resumption of unimpeded Australian exports to China - for all sectors," he said in a statement, adding it would benefit exporters and producers in both countries.

Farrell said he is to meet with China's trade minister, Wang Wentao.

China slapped hefty tariffs on key Australian exports such as barley, beef and wine in 2020 at the height of a bitter dispute with the former conservative government.

It also stopped imports of some major Australian export commodities, including coal.

The icy relations appear to have thawed since Australia's centre-left government adopted a less confrontational approach to China following its election a year ago.

In February this year, China took delivery of its first Australian coal shipment after an unofficial ban of two years, and trade in other goods appears set to open up.

"The Australian government is pleased there have been several positive trade developments, including the resumption of coal, cotton, and copper trade and China's agreement to undertake an expedited review of duties on Australian barley," Farrell said.

Even with the restrictions, two-way trade between the countries was worth Aus$287 billion (US$195 billion) last year.

Farrell said he would also raise "other issues of importance to Australians", without giving details.

Canberra called last week for jailed Australian journalist Cheng Lei to be reunited with her family after 1,000 days in detention in China.

Cheng Lei, a former anchor at Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, disappeared on August 13, 2020, and was later charged with "supplying state secrets overseas". - AFP