China optimistic about rock lobster return after meeting with Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op

As political tensions between China and Australia continue to thaw, the Chinese consulate in Perth said it hopes to see the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative exporting produce to China again, following a meeting between the two groups. Chinese consul-general Long Dingbin visited the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op’s headquarters in Fremantle on January 10 and spoke with chairman of the board Basil Lenzo and CEO Matt Rutter. The groups spoke about “industrial co-operation”, according to a statement from the consulate. The announcement hit an optimistic tone about what the future holds for China, Australia and the co-op. It is believed that with the joint efforts of all parties, Sino-Australian relations will surely achieve greater development, and Geraldton (Fishermen’s Co-op) will play a greater role in the fishery cooperation between the two countries. China was a key destination for the co-op’s produce until the Chinese Government placed trade restrictions on Australian goods in 2020. Mr Lenzo and Mr Rutter said the co-op had a “close and deep friendship” with its Chinese partners when 97 per cent of its rock lobster was exported to China before 2020, according to the statement. Under the Albanese Government, there have been signs that the relationship is on the rebound, and the meeting came the same day as Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said it would be a “good idea” for the trade dispute to be settled. The consulate said the improvement in relations is ”encouraging” and that it hopes to see goods from Geraldton exported to China soon. “In the past two years, the development of China-Australia relations has encountered setbacks, which has dealt a blow to lobster exports, which the company does not want to see,” a spokesperson said. “It is expected that the relationship between the two countries will continue to develop and pave the way for Geraldton to provide more high-quality products to Chinese customers.”