Australia’s Albanese eyes ‘terrific’ end of Chinese curbs on imports as bilateral ties thaw after release of journalist

PM Anthony Albanese’s remarks come as Beijing-Canberra ties continue to thaw after the release of journalist Cheng Lei from a Chinese prison

The curbs have been in place for months, in retaliation against the previous Australian government that had sought an investigation into the origins of Covid-19

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks after a ministry meeting in Melbourne. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:14pm, 13 Oct 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday it would be “terrific” if Beijing lifted remaining curbs on Australian imports as ties between the two sides continue to warm following the release of journalist Cheng Lei after three years in a Chinese prison.

Albanese said he would maintain “ongoing dialogue” with Australia’s largest trading partner and persuade it to drop the punitive measures that had been in place for months in retaliation against the previous conservative government for seeking an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Australia and China have a common interest in trade. Australia has fantastic products that create jobs here and economic activity,” Albanese said.

He added China benefited from receiving “our wonderful” rock lobsters from Western Australia.

“It would be terrific if they were allowed back in and the impediments removed. Wine, those impediments need to be removed as well,” he said.

Diplomatic exchanges have gathered pace after Albanese’s Labor government took office in May 2022, and since then China has scrapped restrictions on some Australian goods and resumed coal imports.

Bottles of Australian wine at a store selling imported wine in Beijing. Photo: Reuters