MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong provided some updates on the progress made on China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).

Following up on meetings held over the last couple of days, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued his meetings with Chinese leaders during his visit to China, discussing trade and various other issues.

Today, China's State Council published a document to promote "international high-standard" measures for opening up in pilot zones and free trade ports, potentially bringing it more in line with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which it has applied to join.

During New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' visit to China this week, the two sides signed agreements on agriculture, intellectual property, and education, and committed to start negotiating a "negative list" for services.

At an Australian Senate hearing earlier this month, officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) responded to questions from Australian Senators on a number of issues related to China trade, including various disputes over sales of Australian products to China and China's application to join the CPTPP.

China's commerce minister Wang Shouwen said at a recent event that China is currently pushing ahead with the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

At a press conference, China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, announced that China had eased restrictions on Australian timber imports, and also discussed China's CPTPP entry and concerns about Chinese surveillance.