Chinese Premier Li Qiang concluded his four-day visit to Australia by touring Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a Chinese-owned venture that includes a lithium mine and refinery. Australia is the world's largest extractor of lithium, accounting for 52% of global production, with the majority of it being exported to China for refining. China's involvement in Australia's critical mineral industry is a sensitive issue due to its dominance of global supply chains. However, Australia has recently started refining lithium domestically and is developing new supply chains with friendly countries. Li's visit also included a visit to a private research facility for clean energy-produced 'green hydrogen'. [f24e85ae]