AUSTRALIA-MofCOM Talks Up Links After Positive Comments From Trade Min

(MNI) London - Wires carrying comments from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) regarding the country's international trading relationships. Following comments last week from Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell last week stating that the two sides had "set down a pathway to resolving all of the outstanding disputes,” MOFCOM says the 'Next step is to focus on the long-term development of China-Australia relations, seeking common ground while reserving differences.' Adds that the two 'Will expand common interests on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.'

• Sino-Australian relations continue to show signs of improvement under the Labor gov't of PM Anthony Albanese, having reached a nadir under his Liberal predecessor PM Scott Morrison.
• Speaking to the FT earlier in June, Farrell stated that during talks “We didn’t blink on national security or national interest issues,” he said but held out an “olive branch” on trade disputes by suspending a WTO case on barley imports, he added. “So we’ve tried to show some goodwill, and I think that’s been reciprocated by the Chinese.”
• China has been a major source of demand for Australian commodities, but in 2020 blocked the import of AUD20bn of coal and wine from the country in a notable blow. While Australia has sought to diversify its export base, an improvement in trade links with China could provide a demand boost.