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Australian assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres and China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting and paved the way for higher-level talks.
Senator Ayres raised the removal of Chinese trade restrictions affecting Australia, saying exports to China were in both countries’ best interests.
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao are due to meet via video link, though no date has been set for the video meeting.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said while there was no official word from Beijing on dropping sanctions, there were encouraging signs including renewed Chinese interest in Australian lobsters.