Founded on 3 March 2016, the Australian Capital Territory Branch is the newest Branch of the Australia China Business Council. The launch of the ACT Branch took place at the National Press Club and was attended by the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Minister Cai Wei, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Australia and The Hon John Brumby AO, National President of Australia China Business Council.

As Australia’s capital city, Canberra has enjoyed a strong and enduring relationship with China, epitomised by the Canberra-Beijing Sister City relationship formalised in 2000. Canberra has also played host to a number of high profile Chinese delegations including Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping, Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin. Most recently, Canberra hosted the official signing ceremony of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, signed by China’s Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng and then Prime Minister Tony Abbott in July 2015.

Canberra is the site of ACBC’s premier event, the annual Canberra Networking Day. This members-only event is a unique opportunity for members to meet with senior government ministers including participation from the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Trade Ministers.