SYDNEY, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Australia and China have made progress in returning to "unimpeded trade" and more is needed, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday as he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at a regional summit in Indonesia.
Albanese, who took office in 2022 at the head of government intent on patching up relations with Australia's biggest trading partner, also said that he would visit China this year, the first by an Australian leader since 2016, and confirmation of a significant step in stabilising ties.
Relations between the two countries were virtually frozen for years over various issues including an Australian call for an international inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. China responded with a raft of trade reprisals on Australian exports.
"China-Australia relations have maintained a positive momentum of improvement thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides over the past year," Li said