© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell attends a press convention following a gathering with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, in Beijing, China May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Pool/File Photo
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australia’s commerce minister mentioned on Tuesday he would meet his Chinese counterpart at a World Trade Organization convention in Abu Dhabi this month and push for the removing of restrictions on imported Australian wine, lobsters and meat.
Don Farrell additionally informed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) he would speak to Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in regards to the suspended dying sentence given to Australian author Yang Hengjun this month.
Farrell mentioned the Australian authorities was “appalled” by the conviction and sentence over espionage expenses however that it mustn’t derail relations between the 2 nations.
Beijing has eliminated a lot of the commerce obstacles it imposed on Australian items after Canberra referred to as for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. Restrictions stay solely on wine, lobsters and meat from a small group of abattoirs.
“The Australian Government continues to press for the removal of all remaining trade impediments affecting Australian exports to China,” Farrell mentioned in a press release.
“I look forward to continuing constructive dialogue with my Chinese counterpart, Minister Wang Wentao, at the World Trade Organization conference this month.”
The WTO assembly in Abu Dhabi within the united Arab Emirates takes place from Feb. 26-29.
Farrell informed the ABC that if China doesn’t take away its tariffs on Australian wine by March 31, when a evaluate of them by Beijing is because of finish, Canberra will renew its problem in opposition to them on the WTO.
“We will immediately resume our World Trade Organization dispute, and we’ve made that very clear to the Chinese authorities,” he mentioned.
On Yang, Farrell informed the ABC: “The Australian government was appalled by the conviction and the penalty of Mr Yang, but we have embarked upon a project process of stabilising our relationship with the Chinese government. And we will continue that process.”
Farrell’s workplace didn’t remark additional.
Calls to China’s commerce ministry and overseas ministry went unanswered as China is off for the Lunar New Year vacation.