China has imported $30 million worth of Australian copper concentrate and increased purchases of cotton from the country amid international sanctions over Xinjiang, despite unofficially banning the products in November last year, Chinese trade data shows.

Chinese importers also snapped up the lion's share of Australia's bumper wheat harvest for the 2021-22 season, making it the country's largest buyer just as global supplies fall.

Global shortages and political tensions have forced China to turn to Australian products, especially as its economy has bounced back from the coronavirus pandemic, although there are few signs the trend will be permanent.

Despite taking punitive trade action against Australia over several issues, including Canberra's push for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, China will avoid shooting itself in the foot economically, said Stephen Olson, a former trade negotiator with the United States Trade Representative.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2021/10/672_316704.html