By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-02 12:01:32 | Updated at 2025-04-03 11:09:48
23 hours ago
A sense of “renewed optimism” between Australian and Chinese businesses has been fuelling efforts to create an environment where both sides can “live in harmony” and grow economically, according to the head of a leading Australian business association.
However, David Olsson, chairman of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), also cautioned that while trade relations between the two nations had thawed recently, there was still a possibility that Beijing could reinstate trade barriers, which could affect businesses sharply, as geopolitical uncertainties persisted.
The message was delivered last week in an interview on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, an annual gathering of high-level officials, academics and business executives, in the southern province of Hainan, which ended on Friday.
“We want to work with China particularly as the influential power in the region to create that environment in which we can live in harmony, and that we can continue with economic development,” Olsson said.
“This is an important relationship to both of us. It is an important relationship to the Asia region generally because ... we are in one region in the world so we have to work together. That’s an imperative that will bring us together.”
China lifted its last trade bans on Australian exports in December after imposing restrictions in 2020 amid strained bilateral relations. Despite the thaw, uncertainties remain, including simmering tensions over security issues and economic risks from Washington’s tariffs.
