Exclusive | Chinese Premier Li Qiang set to visit Australia in June, live lobster import ban expected to be lifted

China’s premier is scheduled to visit Australia in the third week of June amid improving relations that earlier saw Foreign Minister Wang Yi travel to Australia

Source with knowledge of the issue says the unofficial ban on Australian live lobster imports is set to be lifted after China removed its tariffs on Australian wine last month

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Curbs on Australian lobsters have been in place for more than three years. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:00pm, 11 Apr 2024Updated: 5:43pm, 11 Apr 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to visit Australia in June, a move set to consolidate improving economic relations between Beijing and Canberra following last month’s trip by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to two sources with knowledge of the issue.

Li’s trip is planned for the third week of June, one of the sources said, and it would represent his first visit to Australia since he was sworn in as premier in March 2023.

“It is also expected that the unofficial ban on Australian live lobsters will be lifted as a signal of resuming a normal and friendly trade relationship for both sides,” the source said, with the curbs having been in place for more than three years.

The major topics of the visit, however, remain unknown.

“The Australian government has consistently advocated – including during the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi – for the full and timely removal of all trade impediments, including those affecting exports of live rock lobster to China,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.