The commerce ministry said China’s international trade negotiator was concerned about Australia’s monitoring of Chinese enterprises there but noted economic and trade cooperation possibilities.
The ministry claimed Deputy Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen made the remarks during a Monday meeting with Australia’s deputy secretary general for international affairs and trade in Beijing.
The conference follows China’s early January lifting of coal export restrictions, although the trade partners still dispute Australian wine, cattle, barley, seafood, and wood exports.
That also came a day before Canberra pledged to ban ByteDance’s TikTok from all federal government devices due to security concerns.
Wang asked Canberra to “create a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms” during the discussion.
He repeated Chinese foreign ministry officials’ criticism of the US’s app inspection.
Wang told the minister that “China-Australia economic and trade ties are at a crucial crossroads of stability and progress,” urging better communication and coordination to overcome issues.
This week, Australian and Chinese officials will discuss trade normalization at the WTO.
On March 27, China’s vice foreign minister, Xie Feng, met with BHP’s CEO, Mike Henry.
It hoped BHP would improve relationships, especially in climate change and new energy.
