China's Premier Li Qiang to Visit Australia: Signs of Improved Relations

China's Premier Li Qiang will visit Australia, marking the first premier visit since 2017, signaling improved bilateral relations. The visit, from Saturday to Tuesday, includes a leaders' meeting in Canberra and stops in Adelaide and Perth. The move follows the lifting of trade barriers by China since 2022.

China's Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Australia later this week, officials announced on Tuesday. This visit is seen as a significant step towards mending strained bilateral relations.

Premier Li's itinerary, spanning from Saturday to Tuesday, includes meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other key leaders. This will be the first visit by a Chinese premier to Australia since 2017.

During his stay, Li will meet Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra and will also travel to Adelaide and Perth. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in various areas following Albanese's successful Beijing trip last November.

China had imposed trade barriers that significantly affected Australian exports after Australia called for an inquiry into COVID-19's origins. Most of these barriers have since been removed under Albanese's administration, paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation.

Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the importance of Premier Li's visit, stating, "Australia continues to pursue a stable and direct relationship with China, with dialogue at its core."