Joint Statement on Annual Meeting between Chinese and Australian PMs, Including "Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Smuggling"

Regulations by Xinhua News
Jun.18.2024
Joint Statement on Annual Meeting between Chinese and Australian PMs, Including "Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Smuggling"
Political dialogue between countries expands to include defense strategy discussions and bilateral ocean affairs talks for the first time.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on June 17, at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, paid an official visit to Australia from June 15 to 18, 2024. During the visit to Canberra on June 17, Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Albanese held talks, jointly held the annual meeting between Chinese and Australian Prime Ministers, and met with the press together. At the annual meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on Sino-Australian relations and significant international and regional issues.

 

The leaders of the two countries agreed to maintain and expand contact in the following areas:

 

Political dialogue

 

This includes defense strategy discussions, meetings with the Ministry of National Defense, and the first bilateral dialogue on maritime affairs.

 

Bilateral trade

 

This includes both countries' leaders attending the CEO roundtable meeting between Chinese and Australian business leaders in Perth on June 18; welcoming the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition arrangement; promoting the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); and signing memorandums of understanding for cooperation in areas such as standards, measurements, intellectual property rights, competition, and food safety.

 

Climate change, energy, and the environment.

 

This includes restarting bilateral climate change and energy dialogues, hosting the eighth China-Australia Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change in Australia later this year, and initiating technical cooperation on soil carbon monitoring and climate smart agricultural practices.

 

Cultural Exchange

 

This includes expanding cooperation to increase the scale of personnel exchanges between China and Australia, as well as enhancing exchanges in the fields of culture, sports, education, innovation, academia, aviation, health, tourism, and more.

 

Border law enforcement

 

Based on the foundation of bilateral law enforcement cooperation in areas of mutual concern such as drug control and combating transnational organized crime, efforts will be strengthened to collaborate in combating the smuggling of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.

 

2FIRSTS noted that, compared to the Joint Statement of the China-Australia Prime Ministers' Annual Meeting released on November 7, 2023, this year's annual meeting has, for the first time in the joint statement, specifically mentioned "border enforcement, and on the basis of bilateral law enforcement cooperation in the fields of drug prohibition and combating transnational organized crime of mutual concern, strengthening cooperation to combat the smuggling of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes."

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

ZYN ULTRA Expands Haypp’s U.S. E-Commerce Lineup With 9 mg Pouches
ZYN ULTRA Expands Haypp’s U.S. E-Commerce Lineup With 9 mg Pouches
Haypp Group said ZYN ULTRA became available nationwide in the United States on June 15 through its e-commerce platforms Nicokick.com and Northerner.com for verified adult nicotine consumers.
Jun.17
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
Chinese authorities have dismantled an illegal hookah tobacco operation worth more than 46 million yuan ($6.8 million), detaining five foreign suspects and seizing over 500,000 boxes of tobacco paste. The case comes as hookah expands across China’s nightlife sector and attracts overseas operators, including former vaping entrepreneurs. It also raises a central regulatory question: whether waterpipe tobacco will follow China’s private-sector e-cigarette licensing model or be reserved for the state tobacco system, as with nicotine pouches, in the years ahead.
Jul.31
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
Charlie’s Plans Q3 2026 Pilot of America’s First Age-Gated Flavored Disposable Vape
U.S. vape company Charlie’s Holdings announced plans to pilot its age-gated flavored disposable vape products in hundreds of retail stores during the third quarter of 2026. The company said the products will utilize AI- and blockchain-powered age-verification technology designed to address FDA concerns over youth access and potentially create a new compliance pathway for flavored vape products.
Jun.15
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT-owned nicotine pouch brand VELO and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have launched a global fan engagement campaign offering motorsport enthusiasts opportunities to win exclusive team-related experiences. The initiative aims to connect racing culture, fan interaction and VELO’s brand experience across global markets. The partnership reflects BAT’s broader strategy of expanding modern nicotine product brands beyond traditional tobacco categories through lifestyle and cultural marketing.
Jul.23