News analysis

Australian leaders welcome again in China as thawing ties raise hopes of trade breakthrough

Australia PM Anthony Albanese (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting at the G-20 Summit in Bali in November 2022. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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SYDNEY – Australia and China have held an increasing number of high-level meetings, raising hopes that their recent frosty ties may be thawing and that Beijing may end its trade sanctions.

The flurry of official visits by Australians to China in recent weeks began with Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres, who attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, making him the first Australian minister to attend the forum since 2016.

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