Tokyo | China says it has agreed to step up regular trade dialogue with Australia and strengthen economic cooperation but has also warned it wants Australia to treat Chinese companies and products “fairly”.
China’s powerful Commerce Ministry did not give any commitment to lift tariffs and restrictions on $20 billion worth of Australian exports in its official read-out from talks in Beijing with Trade Minister Don Farrell.
Trade Minister Don Farrell with his Chinese counterpart Weng Wentao in Beijing.
Mr Farrell returned to Australia on Sunday after a two-day trip to Beijing without a major breakthrough on China’s trade sanctions. While some exporters were disappointed there was not more concrete news, industrial groups said they were happy that China had committed to keep talking.
Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China wanted to strengthen cooperation with Australia in green energy development, Olympic infrastructure and digital trade. However, he also cautioned that Australia must provide a good business environment for Chinese investors.
“The Chinese side is willing to work with the Australian side to jointly expand more areas of cooperation, and hopes that the Australian side can provide a good business environment and treat Chinese companies and products fairly and justly,” Mr Wang said in a statement released on Saturday after his meeting with Senator Farrell.

This data comes from MediaIntel.Asia's Media Intelligence and Media Monitoring Platform.