Chinese Premier Li Qiang mixed a dash of "panda diplomacy" with a visit to a historic vineyard on Sunday (June 16) to celebrate a thaw in once-icy trade ties with Australia. The highest ranking Chinese official to visit Australia in seven years, Li's four-day trip offers the prospect of greater trade after Beijing lifted punitive measures against a string of major Australian exports. China is by far Australia's biggest trading partner, taking in nearly 30 percent of its exports last year including major commodities iron ore and coal. Two-way trade reached US$216 billion in 2023. Setting the warmer tone, Li took a ... (full story)