Reuters: 

Following last month's announcement that four Chinese coal importers have been granted permission to resume import of Australian coal, does China plan to lift restrictions on a broader range of Australian exports, such as cotton, rock lobster, wine and barley, soon? And if not, then why not? Could you also confirm whether the Chinese and Australian ministers of commerce will meet next week? Thank you.

Yang Tao:

Thank you for your questions. As we all know, enterprises remain the mainstay of Chinese-Australian trade. Companies of the two countries independently make business decisions based on demand and market conditions. China has taken inspection, quarantine and trade remedy measures strictly in accordance with the laws and regulations of China and WTO rules. It is obviously inappropriate to misinterpret them as restrictive measures.

Recently, the leaders of China and Australia held a meeting in Bali, Indonesia, charting the course for improving bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Australia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, expand cooperation, manage differences and push forward bilateral economic and trade cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit. Under a mutual agreement between the two countries, the minister of MOFCOM, Wang Wentao will meet his counterpart, Don Farrell, via video conference next week. The two sides will discuss China-Australia economic and trade relations and economic and trade issues of common concern. Thank you.