A consumer takes photo of a lobster at a supermarket in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. Photo: VCG

China stands ready to work with Australia to continue properly resolving issues of each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation, so as to build more mature and stable bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press conference on Thursday, when asked for comment on media reports that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that China will lift sanctions on imports of Australian lobsters.

The spokesperson suggested consulting competent authorities for specific questions about economy and trade.

The rock lobster trade would resume "in time for Chinese New Year," Albanese said, Bloomberg reported.

China used to be one of the largest export destinations for Australia's lobsters. About 95 percent of Australia's A$750 million ($527 million) worth of lobster exports in 2019 went to China, according to media reports.

The Australian lobster trade cooled down due to quality issues detected by Chinese customs in late 2020. This precautionary measure aimed to ensure health and safety of Chinese consumers.

Soured bilateral relations amid the previous Morrison government also undermined the confidence of Chinese traders in continuing business with the Australian side.

Since taking office in 2022, the Albanese government has reversed its predecessor's anti-China policies, prompting a positive response from Beijing. As a result, bilateral ties have bottomed out and stabilized.

As bilateral trade relations recovered, reflected by the high-level meetings and government and business interactions on both sides, the business confidence toward Australian products has also been recovering.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has taken an active approach together with the Australian side to address the trade disputes, including Australian coal, barley and wine to China.

As the result of the joint efforts, last year, exports of Australian coal, barley, and cotton to China gained momentum, leading to a marked growth in bilateral trade.

In March this year, China's Ministry of Commerce announced a decision to cancel anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian wine, sending more positive signals to the recovery of bilateral trade.

If the foreign reports regarding lobster trade resumption prove accurate, it means that lobster trade, as the last major trade issue between the two countries, will be resolved, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that this move could be another reflection of the pragmatic attitude from both sides in addressing trade concerns.

"We see that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is beginning to recover and shows strong development momentum, but this is a hard-won victory, and it is an achievement that Australia should particularly cherish," Chen noted.