(Yicai) June 18 -- Australia’s relationship with China has strong foundations and remains hugely important, Australian Consul General in Shanghai John Williams told Yicai in an interview.

The two countries have their differences sometimes, but it is important to maintain an open and direct dialogue, he said, noting that China is a vital market for Australia’s mineral resources, agriculture and food, as well as services such as health and education. 

At the same time, Australia’s high-quality products and services are also very popular in the Chinese market, especially Australia's green farm produce. Australia also remains a popular destination for Chinese travelers and students, Williams said.

“We just have such strong, enduring connections between our people in so many different sectors: in business, in culture, the arts and sport, in tourism, in education and research,” he said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra yesterday, and said that relations between the two countries are getting stronger. The meeting also witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements in areas such as free trade, climate change, education and culture, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Williams, who has been in position for just over five months, also noted the many traders who travel between the two countries and the organizers of various events and conferences.

According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the bilateral trade in goods between China and Australia reached USD229.2 billion in 2023, up 4.1 percent from the year before.

It was also the 15th consecutive year that China was Australia’s largest trading partner, per the trade promotion body. Australian investment in China rose almost 12 percent from 2022, and the number of new Australian enterprises established in China climbed just over 40 percent.

“China is Australia's largest trading partner and it's going to remain so for the foreseeable future,” Williams said. “So economic ties are going to continue to be a really central pillar in Australia.

“In fact, total trade in goods and services between Australia and China reached a record level in 2023,” he said. “I think that's very positive sign.”

According to the latest data from Tourism Australia, more than 330,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Australia in the first four months of this year, recovering to nearly 60 percent of level in the same period before the pandemic.

There is also still huge potential for cooperation in trade in goods and services, Williams said, adding that Australia is “committed to promoting complementary economic and trade cooperation.

“We recognize our differences, but we don't let them define our relationship, so that Australia and China can continue to do all the important work that we need to do together, for example in commercial cooperation going forward. So I hope that we'll continue that really strong, positive, constructive growth going forward,” he said.

Editor: Tom Litting