China has lifted an import ban on Australian timber, Beijing's ambassador said Thursday, hailing warming ties between the two countries. Timber was among a slew of Australian commodities hit with import bans and restrictions as diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra soured during the height of the pandemic. Xiao Qian told reporters in Canberra that China would immediately resume imports of Australian timber, which were stopped in 2020. "Yesterday, the Chinese Customs have formally notified the Australian Minister of Agriculture that starting from today, China will resume import of Australian timber," Xiao said at a press ...