China News Service, August 10th. According to Australia.com, as China-Australia relations have reached their lowest level in decades, Australian business leaders hope to use the Winter Olympics to be held in February next year to unfreeze the "channel of communication with China."
Some business leaders hope to send some senior business leaders to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics to break the political deadlock, and at the same time invite Chinese leaders or officials to speak at the video trade conference.
Warwick Smith, who served as the Australian Federal Sports Minister and former advisor to the chairman of the Australia-China Foundation, has raised the issue of commercial representation for the Winter Olympics with Dan Tehan, the Australian Federal Trade Minister.
Smith told The Australian that the Winter Olympics may provide a "constructive opportunity" for the much-needed face-to-face meetings between the two countries.
"Sports is usually a supplement to diplomatic activities," he said. "This provides opportunities for informal meetings, dialogue and progress. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, like the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will provide opportunities for face-to-face meetings. I hope This can be seen as a constructive opportunity."
He pointed out that both China and Australia have a strong interest in the Olympics, and for this reason there is "a lot of content that can be communicated" regarding the Olympics.
It is understood that China and Australia had a strong business influence during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including the opening of an Australian trade and commercial center in a hotel in Beijing.
As one of the speakers at the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) meeting, Smith said that the Winter Olympics to be held in February next year is also expected to provide business leaders with the possibility to visit China in advance.
ACBC National Chairman David Olsson, who also serves as the international business director of the legal firm King & Wood Mallesons, also said that "it's time to build a business" and find ways to improve Australia-China relations.
He stated that it is also important to "open up communication channels" outside of official channels, and ACBC supports Tehan's call for more business contacts with China.
"ACBC will work with the Commission of Commerce and the Chinese Embassy to explore whether we can organize similar online conversations." Olsen said.
Olsen also called on China to "restart the door of communication with Australia, even if not at the official level, but at least at the business level."