Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang will be welcomed to Australia this weekend as part of a four-day visit Prime Minister Albanese says is an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with our largest trading partner.
Arriving in Australia on Saturday 15 June and leaving on Tuesday 18 June, the visit will include meetings in Canberra, Perth and Adelaide.
While in Australia, Premier Li will attend meetings with Australian and Chinese business leaders at the seventh Australia-China CEO Round Table and attend a community event to acknowledge the more than one million members of the Chinese-Australian community in Australia.
As the visit looms, speculation has mounted as to whether announcements on the lifting of trade sanctions on Australian Lobsters will be made.
In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the Prime Minister said he would like to see any impediments to our lobsters and crayfish being removed.
“Australia has an interest in trade with China. China has an interest in receiving our magnificent goods because of their quality. So, this is a win-win. We will continue to put forward our arguments there, as we will continue to pursue Australia’s interests,” said Mr Albanese.
China banned the import of Australian Lobster in 2020, following a record year in 2019 when an estimated 95% of Australia’s lobster exports went to China, worth around $750 million AUD.
The Prime Minister was also questioned about the future of Giant Pandas in Australia, with the current 5‑year extension of Wang Wang and Fu Ni’s time at Adelaide Zoo set to end in November.
“My government is pro-panda,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s statement comes as news breaks regarding the future of Giant Pandas at Adelaide Zoo.
The Advertiser revealed in an exclusive story that Adelaide Zoo is set to receive two new Giant Pandas replacing Fu Ni and Wang Wang in November, following what’s expected to be a complicated and lengthy regulatory process.
Mr Albenese said, “The presence of those pandas at Adelaide up to now has been something that’s brought a great deal of joy to families who’ve been able to visit, and it’s also been a major attraction, of course, for the Adelaide Zoo.”
Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived in Adelaide on a 10-year loan from the China Wildlife Conservation Association in 2009, which was extended for an additional five years in 2019.
