Chinese premier calls for expansion of China-Australia trade

China's vast market will remain open to the world, and China is willing to import more high-quality products from Australia, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday.

In a phone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Li also said that China stands ready to work with Australia to expand and upgrade bilateral trade, support enterprises of both countries in conducting cooperation based on market principles, and promote mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Li called on both countries to accelerate the review of their bilateral free trade agreement and discussions on its upgrade to provide stronger institutional support for cooperation.

China-Australia cooperation in the green sector holds great potential, he said, adding that China is willing to work with Australia to leverage complementary strengths and deepen cooperation in areas such as clean energy, new energy vehicles, energy storage, and carbon reduction to jointly boost the momentum of green economic growth.

Albanese said the Australian government remains committed to developing a stable, mature, and constructive relationship with China.

Australia has long adhered to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in trade, investment, mining, clean energy, and people-to-people exchanges, and properly manage differences in a spirit of mutual respect to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.

Albanese said he looks forward to visiting China to attend the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

(Cover: The national flags of Australia and China. /VCG)