Chinese premier's visit puts Australia's critical mineral ambitions in spotlight

SYDNEY -- A visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to resource-rich Western Australia on Tuesday underscored the difficulty facing the Australian government as it attempts to build up its own supply chain for critical minerals in an industry dominated by China.

Li, Beijing's second-in-command, was touring a Chinese-backed lithium refinery as part of his four-day visit to the country. He later joined Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a roundtable with local business leaders, many from Australia's resources sector.