Shanghai /Canberra | Miners say China's changes to its inspection processes for iron ore imports is a positive development because it will streamline shipments, even though some analysts suggested it could be used to block Australia's most important export.

Amid trade tensions between the two countries, China's Customs authorities said in a notice the new supervising rules, which take effect on June 1, mean customs officials would inspect iron ore at the request of the trader or importer.