Australian Government Acknowledges Reports About China Lifting Coal Ban

A bucket-wheel dumping soil and sand removed from another area of the mine in Newcastle, Australia, the world's largest coal exporting port, on Nov. 5, 2021. Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images

Australia may soon be able to export coal to China again after the federal government acknowledged the possibility of resuming coal trade relations with its largest trade partner.

Following the emergence of reports that Beijing allegedly allowed some state-owned companies to import coal from Australia, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said a resumption of normal trade would benefit the two countries.

“It has been the Australian government’s consistent view that the resumption of normal trade across the board between Australia and China would be in both countries’ best interests,” a department spokesperson said in comments obtained by AAP.

“That is true also of coal.”

If the revelation is true, it will mark the first time China has resumed Australian coal imports since it unofficially imposed trade sanctions on Australia in 2020.

The two countries are attempting to repair diplomatic ties after a four-year deep freeze. Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Dec. 21, 2022.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets with Australian Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, on Dec. 21, 2022. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the trade sanctions, the fate of two Australians arbitrarily detained by the Chinese regime and human rights issues.

Senator Wong said the meeting was very constructive but did not elaborate on how the talks might have progressed the above issues.

Reports on China Resuming Australian Coal Imports

On Jan. 5, Reuters reported that three state-owned enterprises and a top Chinese steelmaker were given the green light to import coal from Australia.

According to the report, China’s National Development and Reform Commission summoned China Datang Corp, China Huaneng Group, China Energy Investment Corporation, and China Baowu Steel Group on Jan. 4 to discuss the issue of resuming Australian coal imports.