James Clarke, president of the Western Australia branch of the Australia China Business Council, said that while specific details of the closed-door talks were confidential, they were also “positive and constructive”.
“Discussions at the dialogue were broad and covered a range of sectors, including mining and resources, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, financial services and banking and primary Industries,” he added.
“Chinese demand for Australian products and services continues to be strong, as does business resilience in the face of what had been a difficult patch in the bilateral relationship and through the global pandemic.”
China and Australia’s bilateral relationship soured in 2020 after the previous administration of Scott Morrison angered Beijing by calling for an international probe into the origin of Covid-19. In response, Beijing imposed a raft of unofficial and official bans on Australian wine, barley, lobsters, cotton, logs and coal.
A thawing of ties was not seen until the administration of Anthony Albanese began in May last year. The prime minister met with President Xi Jinping in November on the sidelines of the Group of 20 gathering in Bali, and Australian foreign minister Penny Wong met with China’s then foreign minister Wang Yi on the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in December.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said at a regular press conference on Thursday that it was aware of the Australian business delegation’s visit and that it welcomed companies from both countries carrying out collaborations and exchanges that are mutually beneficial to each other.
“China will be determined to push ahead in opening up its market to others … deepening cooperation in global supply chains,” the ministry said. “China will bring along a bigger market with more opportunities to other countries, including Australia.”
02:03
Chinese, Australian foreign ministers meet in Beijing in sign of relationship thaw
“The Australian business community has welcomed the improvement in the bilateral relationship over the last 12 months,” Clarke said. “We have witnessed the recommencement of ministerial dialogue between Australia and China in defence, foreign affairs and trade.”
Amid improving bilateral and trade relations, Albanese and trade minister Don Farrell are expected to meet with their Chinese counterparts later this year.
“After China reopened its borders in January, we have witnessed a rush of cross-border delegations coming to Australia from China, and groups of executives flying from Australia to China, including the Australia China Business Council delegation led by national president David Olsson later this month,” Clarke added.
“Point-to-point relationships and connections, such as those fostered by … McGowan’s trip, are important, with state economies situated at the coalface of investment and trade activity between our two countries.”
