Chinese Premier Li Qiang ends his three-day visit to Australia today with a visit to a lithium processing plant in the resource-rich state of Western Australia, Reuters and BTA reported.
The state provides more than half of the world's seaborne iron ore, most of which goes to China, as well as half of the lithium that goes into electric cars, smartphones and other such devices.
Li's visit to Australia is the first by a Chinese premier in seven years and is a demonstration of improving relations between the two countries.
However, China continues to raise concerns about how Australia evaluates and vets Chinese investment, and the issue was discussed during Li's business meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local and Chinese companies.
After the meeting, Li visited a lithium processing plant that is shared between China's "Tianzi Lithium" (Tianqi Lithium) with a share of 51 percent and the Australian IGO (IGO) with a share of 49 percent. The plant is looking to double production.
Last month, for example, Australia blocked attempts by several Chinese investors to increase their stakes in companies that extract critical raw materials from the rare earth minerals sector, and last year even stopped a project to acquire a lithium mine from a Chinese company.
Li said yesterday that China hoped Australia would provide a "fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies".