China lifts ban on Australian timber imports in another sign of improving bilateral relations
China has opened its doors to Australian timber imports for the first time in more than two years, in another sign that the tattered bilateral relationship is being repaired CANBERRA, Australia -- China opened its doors on Thursday to Australian timber imports for the first time in more than two years, in another sign that the tattered bilateral relations hip is being repaired. Timber was on a list of Australian exports subjected to official and unofficial Chinese trade barriers imposed in 2020 after Australia called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The list that included coal, wine, barley, beef, seafood, cotton and copper was estimated to cost Australian exporters $14 billion a year. But relations have improved since the center-left Labor Party came to power a year ago, ending nine years of conservative rule in Australia. Australian coal, cotton and copper exports to China have recently resumed. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said th...