- First official WA Government visit to Sichuan
Province in southwest China kicks off four-day mission to China
- Premier Roger Cook to undertake high-level
meetings with Chinese Government stakeholders and industry leaders in both
Sichuan and Shanghai
- China remains WA's largest trading partner with
$158.1 billion of goods traded in 2022-23
Premier
Roger Cook has embarked on his first official mission to China, where he will explore
new investment and trade opportunities and promote ongoing mutually beneficial
outcomes between Western Australia and China.
The
four-day mission begins today with the WA Government's first official visit to
Sichuan Province, which is home to more than 83 million people and the gateway
to Southwestern China. In recent years, the region has been recognised as an
increasingly important economic hub.
The
focus of the visit will be exploring new opportunities in this rapidly emerging
market, beyond the energy sector in which WA has already had success attracting
significant investment from Sichuan-based companies.
The Premier will also meet with key industry leaders and
stakeholders across resources, aviation and energy in Shanghai.
During the
visit, the State Government will promote future collaboration opportunities in
areas such as tourism, international education and aviation, in line with the
State's economic development framework Diversify WA.
The Premier
will also undertake high-level meetings with key Chinese Government leaders to
help raise the profile of WA in China, build further awareness of the State's
strengths and capabilities, and deepen the bilateral relationship.
WA accounted
for 52 per cent of Australia's total trade goods with China over the last
financial year, with $158.1 billion in goods traded in 2022-23.
Visit Invest
and Trade WA's China Market Outlook 2022-23 for more information on trade and
investment opportunities: China
Market Outlook 2022-23.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"WA's mutually beneficial relationship with China is incredibly important
to growth and prosperity for both regions.
"In leading my first official mission to China as the Premier of Western
Australia, I hope to build on our long investment and trade history and explore
new avenues in which we can work together.
"Following on from the first high-level delegation from Sichuan's visit
to WA in May, I am proud to lead the WA Government's first official visit to
Sichuan in China's key southwest region.
"This important visit shows a mutual commitment to positive and ongoing
engagement, and strengthened trade links that will encourage further investment
in WA."
