Chinese Foreign Minister in Canberra after 7 years

Bitterness arose in bilateral relations between China and Australia after the start of Covid. China became dissatisfied after Australia raised the demand for an investigation into the origin of Covid. After that, China tightened the export of billions of dollars worth of barley, wine, meat and other products from Australia. Because of this, the relationship between the two countries could not improve for a few years. But the relationship between the two countries gradually eased after Australian Foreign Minister Pen Wong made an official visit to China in December 2022.

After Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's official visit to China last October, relations have gradually improved. Recently, China has been relaxing the restrictions imposed on Australian products, and the trade between the two countries is improving compared to before. However, the restrictions imposed on some items such as beef, lobster, etc. have not yet been fully opened . Likewise, Australia has also lifted the ban on wind turbines produced in China.

After visiting New Zealand, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi arrived in Australia's capital Canberra on Wednesday to participate in the 'Seventh Australia China Foreign Strategic Dialogue' held in Canberra. According to the news media, there was a discussion between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries about the need to focus on expanding more mature relations for the improvement of mutual relations. In the discussion, Australian Foreign Minister Wong recently received an Australian citizen and writer from China. It is said that she was shocked to hear about the death sentence given to Yang Jun and said that she will be advocated by the government about the sentence given to her citizen Jun.

At the press conference held after the meeting, Minister Wong said that the meeting was a good opportunity for the ministers of both countries and that Australia clearly stated its interests. Foreign Minister Wong said that there are important differences between the two countries and said that differences can be managed through discussion and dialogue.

China is Australia's biggest export market . According to statistics, China occupies about one-third of the goods exported from Australia. Looking at the data for the financial year 2022-23, Australia's export market with China is about 317 billion dollars. After their biggest market was directly affected, the farmers and businessmen have repeatedly pressured the government to make it easier or to find an alternative market. Accordingly, after the coming of the Labor government, the high-level meeting was accelerated by prioritizing the improvement of relations with China. Because of this, experts say that relations between the two countries are now becoming easier.

The Chinese foreign minister is on a two-day visit to Australia. China's second-level leader and Premier Li Kuang is scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister Albanizi at the end of this year.