Bilateral pacts cover possible investments in rail links, security, plus telecoms and digital data, but analysts said any boost in ties could be more symbolic than real

For November alone, bilateral trade between the two nations rose to $21.5 billion, the highest since February 2022 when the Ukraine war began

Spot lithium prices in the world's top producer of the battery metal were effectively down close to 80% year-on-year

Exports from Xinjiang rose to $409bn in the first 10 months of 2023 and could go higher as trade has jumped to countries in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, despite western sanctions.

China has been lowering trade barriers since Albanese took power last year and began moves to stabilize relations with his country's biggest trading partner

September’s 11.9% year-on-year rise was a sign of continued recovery in market demand, said one analyst

Demand for EVs is growing, but the scrapping of an EV partnership between GM and Honda, plus a warning from China's top battery maker suggest the transition may be slower in 2024

Shares rose slightly on markets in mainland China but dropped in Hong Kong, while Japan, Seoul and Sydney rebounded after three days of falls; Asian currencies edged higher

Myanmar is edging closer to failed state status; its commerce minister revealed a "runaway trade deficit" last week, with exports over the past six months dropping to 46% of the previous fiscal year

Taliban officials have discussed joining China's Belt and Road scheme, plus possible road and rail links and mining deals, but analysts say there are no easy infrastructure options in Afghanistan

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made the suggestion at a the first-ever summit of the two regional blocs in Saudi Arabia on Friday

Two-day event in Beijing will mark 10th anniversary of infrastructure scheme and may see talks on links to Afghanistan, plus possible mining projects