Event Report: ACBC National Briefing with Australia’s Ambassador to China & Federal Trade Representatives 2023

Thursday 23 March 2023 – The Australia China Business Council was delighted to host a National Briefing with HE Graham Fletcher, Australia’s Ambassador to China; Simon Farbenbloom, Minister-Counsellor (Economic) and Rob Donelly, Austrade’s General Manager for Greater China.

A special thanks go to Bridget Qi, Head of Financial Institutional Group & Beijing Branch Manager, ANZ China for her presentation and Virginia Birrell, ACBC Vic & Tas CEO for moderating the event.

This National Briefing was significant for several reasons.

A new Australian Government was elected in May of last year.

President Xi Jinping was announced leader of China for an unprecedented third term.

Bilateral meetings have been held between Chinese and Australian defence ministers, foreign ministers and most importantly the leaders of both countries.

China began its great reopening and direct flights between our two countries have recommenced.

In this context, the one-hour online event under Chatham House rule addressed a range of issues pertinent to ACBC members, such as FIRB regulation, pragmatic trade options, outcomes from the two sessions, China’s new leadership and shifting economy, digitisation, consumer sentiment, opportunities in the green economy and more.

Speakers were frank and forthcoming with their observations on the Chinese economy and market opportunities for Australian businesses.

As bilateral trade figures climb to an all-time high, the conversation surrounding Australia-China trade has stabilised.

Somewhat optimistically, the opportunity in China is as great as it ever has been, particularly in sectors related to the green economy as outlined in the ACBC Climate Challenge Report.

ACBC looks forward to hosting a high-level business delegation to China. This will pave the way for our membership to re-engage and activate their China market strategies.