Improved trade relations with China

July 2024 China's Premier Li Qiang has been greeted by hundreds of supporters and some vocal protesters as he arrived in Canberra ahead of high levels talks with Anthony Albanese. The premier landed in Canberra after a high-profile announcement at Adelaide Zoo, where he confirmed that China would lend two new giant pandas to replace the much loved pair Wang Wang and Fu Ni. Mr Li – who is notionally the second most powerful leader in China behind President Xi Jinping – declared on arrival that the relationship with Australia was now "back on track after a series of twists and turns." Mr Li has been shadowed in both Adelaide and on his arrival in Canberra by hundreds of supporters as well as protesters furious at the Chinese government's crackdowns against religious minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as political repression in Hong Kong. After visiting Adelaide Zoo, Mr Li had lunch with Adelaide winemakers in an event designed to highlight the return of Australian wine to China after Beijing's move to unwind heavy tariffs earlier this year. After visiting Adelaide Zoo, Mr Li had lunch with Adelaide winemakers in an event designed to highlight the return of Australian wine to China after Beijing's move to unwind heavy tariffs earlier this year. "What we have done … is to stabilise the relationship with our largest trading partner, and that has resulted in, as I said, almost $20 billion of resumed trade with the Chinese government", Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said. Senator Farrell also indicated the last remaining trade barrier – an informal ban on live Australian rock lobsters – would soon be removed.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia