CANBERRA, Australia: China’s Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Australia later this week, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier to the country since 2017, signaling improving bilateral relations.
Premier Li’s visit, from Saturday to Tuesday, will include an annual leaders’ meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra, as well as visits to Adelaide and Perth.
This visit follows Albanese’s trip to Beijing in November last year, where both nations agreed to resume key bilateral dialogues and enhance cooperation.
Previously, China had imposed trade barriers costing Australian exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion) annually, following Australia’s call for an international COVID-19 inquiry.
Most barriers have been removed since the election of Albanese’s government in 2022.
“Prime Minister Li Qiang’s visit to Australia is a significant chance to interact directly on important issues for both of our countries,” Albanese said, highlighting the value of steady, open communication.
