Li Chang, the second-ranking official in China and Premier of the State Council, is reported to be scheduled to visit Australia in June. There are also prospects that the export of Australian lobsters to China, which had been suspended for over three years, may resume.
On the 11th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited multiple sources familiar with the matter, reporting, "Premier Li Chang is scheduled to visit Australia in June," adding, "This is a measure to improve economic relations between China and Australia following Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Australia last month."
According to one source, Premier Li's visit to Australia is planned for the third week of June, and it is expected to be his first visit to Australia since taking office in March last year. The source also stated, "The unofficial import ban on live Australian lobsters is expected to be lifted." However, other major schedules and purposes have not been specifically disclosed.
Last month, during Foreign Minister Wang's visit to Australia, Penny Wong, the Australian Foreign Minister, mentioned that they were awaiting the Chinese Premier's visit. In November last year, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited China, invited Premier Li to Australia at that time.
Australia's coal, barley, cotton, beef, and dairy products have faced official and unofficial import bans from China since 2020, after then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. In 2018, Australia also excluded Huawei, China's largest telecommunications equipment company, from participating in its 5G network projects.
However, with the Australian Labor Party government taking office in 2022, the atmosphere between the two countries has somewhat improved, and some markets have begun to open since last year. Last month, China lifted anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian wine. During his visit to Australia last month, Minister Wang said to Minister Wong, "China has not interfered in Australia's internal affairs so far and has respected the system and path chosen by Australia. Likewise, we hope Australia will continue to keep the promises made since the establishment of diplomatic relations regarding China's sovereignty, dignity, and legitimate concerns, and handle them with respect and appropriate measures."
Meanwhile, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, China is Australia's largest trading partner, accounting for 26% of Australia's goods and services trade in 2022 and 2023. According to Chinese customs data, trade between the two countries in 2023 reached $229.2 billion (approximately 312.63 trillion KRW), a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year.
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