China will resume its import of Australian timber instantly within the newest signal the diplomatic relationship is on the mend.
In a wide-ranging press convention on Thursday, China’s prime diplomat in Australia confirmed the commerce breakthrough after three years of limbo.
And, in an extra signal of enchancment, Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian stated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s workplace was working with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s workforce to discover a date for Mr Albanese to go to Beijing.
“Yesterday, the Chinese customs has formally notified the Australian Minister of Agriculture that starting from today China will resume import of Australian timbers,” he informed reporters.
The news of a commerce breakthrough got here as Mr Xiao, in a uncommon media look, hit out at Australia, and its Quad and AUKUS companions over their notion of China as a menace, which the ambassador maintains it’s not.
The Quad which was as a consequence of be held subsequent week in Sydney, has lengthy been criticised and opposed by China.
Us President Joe Biden was pressured to desert his plans to journey to Australia subsequent week to attend the third annual leaders’ summit as a consequence of home issues, prompting your complete summit to be deserted with leaders as an alternative to satisfy on the sidelines of the G7 in Japan this weekend.
Mr Xiao wouldn’t be drawn on Mr Biden’s resolution to cancel his journey, and even Australia’s resolution to host the since-scrapped occasion within the first place, however stated he hoped China can be higher thought-about sooner or later.
“Our position which is pretty clear, we hope that the members of the Quad, and especially Australia as a friendly partner to China, would take into consideration Australia’s interests to keep taking into consideration the relationship with China,” he stated.
“And would manage in a way that the ongoing improvement of the relationship will not be affected by whatever outside forces or factors …
“I’m looking forward to continuing to communicate with the Australian side on this issue as I have been doing over the last couple of weeks.”
On the Solomon Islands safety packed Beijing signed final yr, Mr Xiao stated it was purely for “social stability” and never Defence.
“The relationship between China and Pacific Island countries is conducive to peace and stability and prosperity in the region,” he stated.
Ramping up his criticism of AUKUS, Mr Xiao stated Australia’s continued focusing on of China as a menace was “unfounded and absolutely necessary”.
“In my view China is not a threat and will not be a threat,” he stated.
“And to spend a huge amount of money on unnecessary Defence equipment while targeting China as a potential threat is unfounded.
“I think AUKUS is not a good idea … It is an unnecessary consumption of the hardworking Australian taxpayers’ money.”
Asked whether or not he believed the discharge of Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has been held in detention for greater than two years on costs of spying, was “critical” to re-establishing bilateral relations, Mr Xiao stated he believed there have been a wide range of points that made the connection unstable, however there was room for the 2 sides to barter and discover options.
“Her case is different in the sense that it is not for the (Australian) government to make a decision – it is for the Chinese legal authorities to make based on their rules and laws,” he stated.
He stated he had “personal sympathy” for Ms Lei, and hoped there can be an answer “as early as possible”.
In the identical media look, Mr Xiao stated Taiwan would “come back to the motherland”.
“I look forward to our Australian friends and other international community with China … who also supports China’s unification,” he stated.
Australia, which abides by the One China coverage, helps no unilateral change to the established order.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
