The three-day visit by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang to Australia has been hailed as an icebreaker in Australia-China relations. Li Keqiang, who is considered a potential future Chinese president, met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and follows months of tension between the two countries kicked off in February by Chinalco’s failed Rio Tinto bid and the arrest in China of Australian Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu in July. 

China has also been unhappy with Australian government restrictions on Chinese investment in the country’s resources sector and the granting of an Australian visa to Rebiya Kadeer, a US-based ethnic Uighur Muslim exile from China's western Xinjiang region – whom Beijing brands a terrorist.
During the visit, Vice Premier Li said China was committed to a free trade agreement with Australia and developing a broader relationship. Mr Li said he hoped his visit would “enhance mutual trust” between the two countries
China remains one of Australia’s most important trade partners. Two-way trade between the two countries was worth A$74 billion in 2008.