Western Australia wants to work with Chinese partners as it builds out its green energy industry, the state premier said in Beijing on Tuesday, even as the federal government has indicated a preference for other partners in the critical minerals sector.
Western Australia accounts for roughly half of Australia's goods trade with China, much of it in iron ore. The state also holds most of Australia's lithium deposits and is building an industry to process its minerals into battery chemicals.

A lithium plant jointly owned by IGO Ltd (IGO.AX) and China's Tianqi Lithium Corp (002466.SZ) last year produced the country's first battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
Western Australia wants to widen its relationship with China into new areas including "renewable energy (and) some downstream processing of resources" and manufacturing in the state, Premier Mark McGowan said in a video sent to media organizations highlighting his first visit to China in four years.
"It (the visit) is about ensuring that our existing relationship will remain strong ... but ensuring that in the future we can diversify the relationship into areas we haven’t worked on before."
However, his comments come only days after Australia's resources minister Madeline King said the country is seeking investment from "likeminded partners" into its critical minerals sector to reduce its reliance on China.
McGowan also addressed a lunch of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday attended by Australia's ambassador to China along with representatives of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG.AX), Albemarle China and Rio Tinto China among others.
The Premier's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Chinese investment in the critical minerals sector in Western Australia.
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5 h
China's potential to make major transitions to green energy in a fortnight is overwhelming and so it's about time that they shoveled out their immense dependency on fossil fuels as well as the huge influence they've got on other nations whom they've wooed to revitalize their fossil fuels trade ties with
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3 d
Dear Jengaj John Thank you for getting your climate love to level 2! We have reached out to REPUBLIC OF CHINA and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Adam We Don't Have Time
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3 d
China could help reduce the growth in global emissions to an extent that almost no other nation can.
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3 d
great initiative
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5 w
China is a huge and innovative country ,with more seriousness they can really do a lot in regards to climate change solutions.
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5 w
@Kevin very true, the country does have means and resources.
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5 w
I can only imagine if china gives their 100% in green energy. they can really do wonders
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5 w
@daniel_waweru_656 they sure can make a difference
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5 w
Great! China is a major player in the global renewable energy market, and its expertise and resources can help accelerate the sustainable-development.
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5 w
Chinese engineering is great and, if well concentrated, can do lots for the environment.
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5 w
China a top emitter of GHGs and they should not be coerced to take action, they need to demonstrate accountability on climate issues.