China Conducts Comprehensive Inspection of Australian Fruits and Seafood

Australia Faces Series of Import Restrictions from China Following COVID-19 Responsibility Claims

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China’s pressure on Australia is intensifying amid conflicts over the responsibility for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 6th, citing sources within China, that Shanghai customs authorities have announced a policy to conduct thorough inspections on all Australian fruits and seafood entering Shanghai Port.

Shanghai customs authorities have verbally notified that they may inspect all fruits and seafood imported from Australia at the Shanghai Huizhan wholesale market.

SCMP reported that the verbal notification from Shanghai customs came shortly after Chinese state media reported that an “important (import) suspension” measure would be implemented on various Australian goods.

Earlier, on the 3rd, SCMP reported, citing industry sources, that China would include Australian wheat in its import ban list.

At that time, SCMP also reported that Chinese authorities had taken measures to ban imports of Australian barley, sugar, red wine, timber, coal, lobster, copper ore, and copper concentrate that arrived at Chinese ports and whose import payments were settled since the 30th of last month.

China’s state-run Global Times also reported on the 4th that from the 30th of last month, an “important suspension” measure had been applied to Australian barley, sugar, red wine, timber, coal, lobster, copper ore, and copper concentrate.

Experts point out that if Chinese authorities officially instructed not to purchase Australian products, it would violate free trade agreements as well as World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, so they likely implemented a de facto import ban through verbal instructions.

China, which is in conflict with Australia over issues including COVID-19 responsibility, has been imposing successive “retaliatory measures” against Australia.

SCMP reported on the 16th of last month, citing the Australian cotton industry, that China has added cotton to the list of retaliation targets following Australian wine, beef, barley, and coal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.