(Yicai) April 28 -- “Free trade matters, and rule-based trade is critically important,” the minister for trade and investment of South Australia told Yicai during a visit to China.

“We believe in a policy of trade which sees at its core more South Australian products exported to more countries,” Joe Szakacs told Yicai in an exclusive interview. “We believe that a broad approach to trade is important, and the core of that is the importance of our long-term trusted relationships like China and South Australia’s.”

Tariffs, economic depression, and conflicts, including military conflicts, are shaping a challenging economic environment, according to Szakacs. But this shows the importance of “trusted, meaningful, and engaging relationships” among trading partners, he noted.

Australian product exports to China have gradually resumed since 2023, with their total export value soaring 19 percent to AUD4.2 billion (USD2.7 billion) in January from a year earlier, according to Australian customs data.

South Australia is Australia’s fourth-largest state, rich in mineral resources. China is its largest trading partner. Last year alone, South Australia’s exports to China surged 33 percent to record AUD4.4 billion. Southern rock lobsters and Penfolds wines, both very popular products in China, originate from South Australia.

South Australia’s lobster exports to China totaled AUD47.1 million (USD30.1 million) in the 12 months ended Feb. 28, accounting for 74 percent of the state’s total seafood exports. Meanwhile, its wine exports to China totaled AUD750 million (USD478.6) in the period.

Half of South Australia’s international flights are headed to Shanghai, meaning that half of its lobsters and premium wine end up in Shanghai, Szakacs said. “I’m very pleased about the positive relationship that has been forged between my government and China Eastern Airlines.”

During his stay in China, Szakacs visited the Shanghai headquarters of fresh food delivery platform Dingdong Maicai and ordered South Australian specialty products on its app, including southern bluefin tuna. The goods were delivered in 20 minutes.

This was Szakacs’s second visit to Shanghai since August last year.

Editor: Futura Costaglione