The Chinese government has agreed to cooperate with Australian businesses on jet fuel shipments, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said according to Reuters, suggesting China could loosen curbs on exports imposed amid supply disruption from the Iran war.

Wong is in China as part of a three-nation tour that also includes Japan and South Korea, with Canberra seeking to keep ties with Beijing on a steadier footing while coordinating with regional powers on energy security.

“We believe this is an important step, but it is the first step,” Wong told reporters in Beijing, adding that the aim of her trip was to press for Chinese cooperation “in particular for the provision of liquid fuels”.