SYDNEY: China’s Li Qiang will arrive in Australia on Saturday (Jun 15), the first visit by a Chinese premier since 2017, in a sign of improving ties, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday.
During the four-day visit Li will visit the city of Adelaide city, the capital Canberra, and Australia’s mining state Western Australia.
Both leaders will meet with Australian and Chinese business leaders at a roundtable in Western Australia, Albanese said at a media briefing in Canberra.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner, with Australian resources and energy exports dominating trade flow.
Australia is the biggest supplier of iron ore to China and China has been an investor in Australian mining projects, though some recent Chinese investment in critical minerals has been blocked by Australia on national interest grounds.
Albanese said foreign investment has a role to play in Australia and is considered on a case by case basis.
“Chinese engagement, including with the resources sector, has been important for growth,” he said.
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