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China to resume imports of Australian timber, talks under way for Anthony Albanese visit, Chinese ambassador says
- China is set to resume the import of Australian timber from Thursday, according to ambassador Xiao Qian
- Australian timber trade with China has been largely suspended since late 2020 after Beijing said it had found pests in shipments
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China is set to resume imports of Australian timber from Thursday and talks are under way about a visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Beijing, China’s ambassador to Canberra said.
The once A$600 million (US$399 million) annual timber trade with China has been largely suspended since late 2020 after Beijing said it had found pests in shipments coming from several Australian ports.
Australia’s centre-left Labor government is pushing for an end to a series of Chinese unofficial bans and tariffs placed on Australian products including coal, timber and lobster in 2020 during a nadir in diplomatic relations.
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“[On Wednesday], the Chinese customs has formally notified the Australian minister of agriculture that starting from [Thursday] China will resume import of Australian timbers,” ambassador Xiao Qian said in a speech in Canberra on Thursday.
The reopening of China to Australian timber comes days after Australian trade minister Don Farrell returned from a trip to Beijing.
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