Samsung and SK Hynix, now the country’s most valuable by far, have seen their shares surge since September as concerns about a memory supply shortage escalated.

Australia is ready to do a deal, but we don’t do deals for deals sake,” Farrell said in a statement before departing.

China’s factory deflation eased more than expected in January, as downward pressure on prices moderates thanks to higher commodity costs and a crackdown on excessive competition among companies.