Greater China Insights Spring/Summer 2023

The fourth quarter of 2023 marked an exciting time in the Victoria-China relationship.

China International Import Expo

Global Victoria along with the Victorian Government Trade and Investment offices in China helped 49 Victorian businesses showcase their products in the Victorian Pavilion at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai in November 2023. The businesses included a strong representation of Victoria’s food and beverage industries. This platform provided the mission delegates with an opportunity to explore new business opportunities and make new connections.

Victoria’s Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth, Mr Tim Pallas, visited the Victorian Pavilion and promoted Victoria’s dairy capabilities at a Forum attended by Chinese dairy buyers, and also attended a ‘Spirits Showcase’ to promote Victorian beverage producers at ‘Vic House’ – the Victorian Government’s Food and Fibre Pavilion in Shanghai – which showcases Victorian products to Chinese buyers.

The Victorian business delegation also participated in a lively ‘Friends of Victoria’ event, which brought together Victorian businesses, and buyers from all over China to network and discuss further collaboration.

The Victorian business delegation coincided with a Victorian education mission to China, led by the Hon John Brumby AO,  Chair of Victoria’s International Education Advisory Council and Chancellor of La Trobe University. The delegation included 35 senior executives from Victorian universities, TAFEs, education peak bodies and private providers. During their visit, the delegation visited Shanghai and Beijing where they engaged with China’s Ministry of Education, Chinese educational institutions, peak bodies, education agents, international schools, industry, and Victorian alumni.

Minister Pallas supported the Victorian international education mission, including through the delivery of an opening speech at the Victoria-China Education Forum in Shanghai, which focused on fostering education partnerships with Chinese institutions. He also witnessed three Victorian institutions signing MoUs/agreements with their Chinese partners at the Forum, showcasing the robustness of the Victoria-China education partnership.

The Australian Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade and Tourism were also in China at this time and the Prime Minister toured the Victorian stand at CIIE to meet Victorian businesses exhibiting at the Expo.

Inbound visits to Victoria

There has been a rapid resurgence in inbound Chinese trade and investment delegations in 2023 with recent senior delegations including visits to Victoria by:

  • The Vice Governor of Hunan Province Mr Qin Guowen led a delegation of education sector officials to Melbourne in early November 2023 to discuss trade and investment cooperation with the Victorian Government and to conduct a site visit to better understand Victoria’s dairy industry capabilities.
  • The Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Xu Wenguang presided over a Zhejiang-Victoria Trade and Investment Symposium with Victorian Minister the Hon Steve Dimopoulos MP (Minister for Environment; Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events; and Minister for Outdoor Recreation) on 13 November 2023 in Melbourne. In his speech to this Symposium, Minister Dimopoulos highlighted the strength of Victoria’s commitment to its relationship with China and the potential for Victoria’s tourism industry to welcome more guests from China.
  • The Chinese Minister for Education Mr Huai Jinpeng visited Victoria in mid-August 2023 and met with the Governor, Victoria's then Premier, Mr. Andrews and officials from the University of Melbourne. Premier Andrews and Minister Huai discussed sharing best practices in higher education, post-graduate collaboration, vocational education, and student exchange programs.

The momentum in the relationship provides a strong platform on which to keep deepening our economic links. The Victorian Government’s 5 offices in China stand ready to support Victorian businesses looking to enter or expand their presence in the region.