China agreed to co-operate on jet fuel exports: Wong
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the Chinese government has agreed to cooperate with Australian businesses on jet fuel shipments, and suggested that China may relax restrictions on exports due to the supply disruption caused by the Iran war.
“We believe this is an important step, but this is the first step,” he told reporters in Beijing. Wong said, adding that the purpose of his trip was to press for cooperation with China, “especially on the provision of liquid fuels.”
Wong is in China as part of a three-country tour that also includes Japan and South Korea. Australia is trying to keep its ties with China on a more stable basis while coordinating with regional powers on energy security.
Australia, which imports most of its fuel, has faced local shortages since the Middle East conflict began in February.
It is more important than ever that we continue to work together and find ways to work together to keep fuel and goods flowing between our countries and across our region.— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) April 29, 2026
China has cut fuel exports since March to protect domestic supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted the flow of crude oil and fuel.
China is a major fuel source for Asia and last year supplied a third of Australia’s jet fuel.
During his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Wong said he “emphasized that Chinese imports to Australia, including jet fuel, support the Australian resource sector, which helps maintain the flow of commodities that are vital to bilateral trade relations.”
“Our energy security is shared,” Wong said.
“The energy provided to us impacts our capacity to supply other energy and other products to the region,” he added.
China has approved 500,000 metric tons of fuel exports to regions outside Hong Kong for May, nearly doubling April shipment estimates, but levels remain less than half last year’s corresponding averages, trade sources said.
“It is more important than ever that countries in the region work together to coordinate our response and keep fuel and goods flowing,” Australia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday. he said.
