China’s number two diplomat in Australian has rejected nervousness over China’s teetering real estate market – and by extension the impact on Pilbara iron ore exports – telling a business audience there still remains significant growth potential in its property sector.

Speaking at the Australia China Business Council’s annual Parliament House networking day on Thursday, chargé d’affaires Li Fanjie said China was committed to expanding trade opportunities with Australia. But he gave no indication of when Beijing would lift its remaining de facto trade bans on lobsters and some abattoirs.