Council visit highlights State’s focus on building ties with China

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to growing our trade relationship with China to promote economic growth and to create more local jobs.

Today, I was pleased to welcome the National Board of the Australia China Business Council for its first meeting in Tasmania.

With more than 1500 member representing over 750 Australian companies, the Council is a not-for-profit industry organisation that has strived for the past 42 years to support Australia’s bilateral relationship with China.

The Council is dedicated to promoting business and trade, and, just as importantly, to building people-to-people relationships that enhance the friendship and understanding between our two nations.

The decision to meet in Hobart follows the establishment of a Tasmanian Branch of the organisation in November last year.

The Council’s National Board, led by its president and former Victorian Premier John Brumby, attended a morning tea networking event with about 50 Tasmanian Branch members, Government officials and local business and industry representatives.

This was a great opportunity for Tasmanian businesspeople to learn more about growing relationships with China.

The event reinforces the Government’s efforts to build stronger ties with Asia, particularly China, and follows, of course, last year’s historic visit to our State by Chinese President Xi Jingping.

The Premier’s successful trade mission to China earlier this year will soon be followed by another visit led by State Growth Minister Matthew Groom.
Jeremy Rockliff, Deputy Premier