Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will make his first official visit China from 14 to 15 April.
In Shanghai on 14 April the Prime Minister will attend the culmination of Australia Week in China (AWIC) with more than a thousand business representatives. This will be the largest Australian business delegation to leave Australia’s shores.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Beijing for an official meeting with President Xi Jinping and the annual leaders’ meeting with Premier Li Keqiang. Leaders will discuss the Australia-China relationship along with regional and global issues, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in November, 2014.
Last year Australia’s trade with China was valued at $150 billion.
2015 also saw record investment, education links and tourism - with more than one million Chinese visitors travelling to Australia.
Australian businesses are now reaping benefits from the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on 20 December last year.
China’s economic progress over the last forty years has been unprecedented in both its scale and pace. Australian exporters have been a partner with China in that extraordinary economic transformation.
The ChAFTA has opened up even more opportunities for trade and engagement between our two countries. As China continues its transition towards a more consumer-led and services-based economy, more and more Australian businesses are finding new markets and new opportunities in China.
The Prime Minister will explore ways to deepen Australia’s engagement with China especially in the areas of innovation, science and technology.
China’s, and our region’s, economic transformation offers extraordinary opportunities for both our countries and the Prime Minister looks forward to expanding them in the course of his visit.