The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) is proud to be awarded a three-year grant from the National Foundation for Australia China Relations (NFACR) to deliver the Strengthening Australian Industry and Business China Capability project. This strategic initiative will underpin ACBC’s efforts to enhance China capability across Australian industry and business, reinforcing the Council’s role as the champion of this vital area. The project will focus on a comprehensive program designed to equip Australian industry with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage effectively with China.
The NFACR-funded project will run over three years and is expected to establish a lasting foundation for enhanced bilateral engagement. Through this initiative, ACBC aims not only to raise China literacy among Australian businesses but also to develop a scalable capability program that will continue to drive cross-cultural understanding and economic collaboration well beyond the grant period.
The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) is delighted to announce the appointment of the Advisory Board for the China Capability Program.
ACBC to Accelerate China Capability to Enhance Bilateral Economic Engagement.
Australia needs to invest in building our understanding of China.
Australia's China Gap: A National Benchmark of Australian Business China Capability
The Australia China Business Council (ACBC), with support from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR), has released Australia's first national benchmark of business China capability. Based on a quantitative survey of 331 organisations across 15 industries and in-depth interviews with 17 C-suite executives, the report assesses how prepared Australian businesses are to engage with China's evolving market.
The research finds that while Australian organisations demonstrate strong interest in China and perform well in areas such as market knowledge and business networks, many face capability gaps in localisation, in-market operations, and long-term strategic readiness. The report identifies four organisational "China capability" mindsets, highlighting that leadership commitment and organisational strategy are stronger predictors of success than business size alone.
The findings also show that ACBC members consistently score higher across all six dimensions of China capability, underscoring the value of structured engagement, networks, and capability development. The report concludes with practical recommendations for businesses, including strengthening leadership ownership of China strategy, improving localisation, enhancing risk-informed in-market engagement, and developing tailored capability pathways to help Australian organisations succeed in one of the world's most significant markets.
The Engaging China Industry and Business Workshop, held on 25th June 2025 at the National Archives of Australia, was a half day event: the event focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of China political and economic systems for risk informed engagement. Hosted the day before the DFAT Peak Bodies Consultations event, the workshop was attended by corporate partners and representatives across Australia’s peak bodies.
Addressing how to develop a risk informed engagement strategy with China, the Engaging China workshop explored China’s political system and Australia’s relationship with China, and the strategic context for the Australia-China economic relationship.
Following the workshop, ACBC hosted a networking function, involving representatives across government, including the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
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