Australian Treasurer to Visit China, Signaling Improved Bilateral Relations

Jim Chalmers' visit marks the first by an Australian treasurer in seven years, aiming to stabilize economic ties and enhance trade cooperation.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will co-chair the Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue with He Lifeng, chair of China's National Development and Reform Commission.
This visit is part of the Albanese government's efforts to reestablish dialogue with China, Australia's largest trading partner.
Bilateral relations had soured under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, particularly after Australia's call for a COVID-19 origins investigation in 2020.
China had imposed trade bans on Australian products, costing exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars annually, but most of these obstacles have now been removed.
Australia is also seeking to strengthen economic ties with India, with recent discussions on a new bilateral free trade deal.