Beijing has launched a review of punitive tariffs that were placed on Australian wine in 2020 in the latest sign of thawing relations between the two countries ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China next month.
It is the first time that an Australian leader has visited China in seven years and follows a period of tension between the two countries after former prime minister Scott Morrison publicly called for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 in 2020. The move triggered a backlash in China with Beijing imposing a range of sanctions and tariffs on Australian products.
Albanese confirmed over the weekend that he would visit China on November fourth for a three day state visit where he will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Since Albanese was elected in 2022, diplomatic tension between Australia and China has eased and trade restrictions between the two countries have been lifted.