Annastacia Palaszczuk considering official visit to China

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is considering an official trip to China amid a thawing of the relationship with Australia’s largest trading partner.

An official trip to China is on the cards for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk later this year the state government has confirmed, amid a thawing of the relationship with Australia’s largest trading partner.

It comes as China’s ambassador to Australia said his country would be interested in investing in landmark events — including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

China has been Queensland’s largest export destination and import origin since 2012/13 according to Trade Investment Queensland.

But deteriorating political ties on a national level had led to a range of trade disputes, including the imposition of tariffs on wine and barley and non-tariff action against imports of Australian coal, beef, lobster and timber.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is considering a visit to China. Picture: Glen Campbell

As a result India became Queensland’s largest coal customer in recent years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office confirmed she was considering a visit to China in November this year, with the state celebrating 30 years of its “Sister State relationship with Shanghai”.

Ms Palaszczuk’s spokesman said media would be “welcome to attend” the visit.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan recently announced a five-day trip to China from April 17 in a bid to “reconnect” with Chinese leaders.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian Premier Danial Andrews returned from a visit to China on Saturday.

China’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian, during a visit to Brisbane last week, said after five years of “turbulence and zigzags” in bilateral relations the environment was rapidly improving.

Mr Xiao said Australia and China could make the “best of partners” co-operating in areas of technology, manufacturing and renewable energy as well as previously rejected belt and road initiatives.

He brushed off fears that China and Australia would one day clash militarily, saying the scenario was unthinkable given our close ties.

Mr Xiao’s sanguine comments are a sign Beijing and Canberra have successfully reset their relationship despite Australia’s recent signing of a controversial submarine deal with the US and UK.

“We have basically stabilised the relationship between the countries,” he said.

“And both sides agree to co-operate in so many areas where we have common ground. We will move forward to explore new frontiers like climate change, green energy and infrastructure.