The Chinese leader in charge of commerce, Zhong Shan, has conceded that wet markets in China may not be up to standard, meanwhile, the Australian Trade Minister’s attempts to speak with Zhong go unanswered.
At a press conference in Beijing on May 18, Zhong admitted: “In communities, there are wet markets of varying sizes and patchy quality, overall the standards are not very high.”
He said they would “push for their standardisation with an improved environment” and “improved quality.”
When Zhong was questioned on his communications with Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, he said, “We are communicating with each other.”
“That request has not been met with a call being accommodated at this stage,” he said.
“The call ought to be returned,” he said.
The Australian government has stayed firm in its belief that it has no case to answer regarding the Chinese regime’s proposed economic actions. However, it will still seek to resolve the disputes via the World Trade Organisation.
Birmingham told 2GB radio on May 18, the United States would “ultimately support” the motion as well.
“What we’re seeing is many countries signing up to co-sponsor the initiative,” said Birmingham.
“We have been clear all along from an Australian perspective,” he said. “This isn’t about ascribing blame or anything else of that sort.”
“It’s purely about what’s happened, how it has been handled around the world including through entities like the World Health Organisation so that we learn those lessons and are much better prepared for the future.”
