Media Release: Australia China Business Council to host China’s Foreign Minister WANG Yi
Tuesday 19 March 2024
For Immediate Release
The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) will host China’s Foreign Minister WANG Yi at a private roundtable during his visit to Canberra on 20th March.
The roundtable will convene business leaders from Australia’s resources, education, health, financial, and legal services sectors, alongside executive directors of think tanks, academia and foundations.
ACBC National President David Olsson commented “The visit provides an important opportunity to hear from one of China’s most senior government leaders on how China views its relationship with Australia beyond stabilisation. It also enables the Australian business community to share their perspectives and insights on the future direction of the relationship.”
The visit marks the first visit of a Chinese foreign minister to Australia since 2017 and will continue the Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, a longstanding mechanism facilitating the exchange of views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of interest for both nations.
Olsson emphasises the importance of Australian business and civil society having a seat at the table. “We appreciate the opportunity to support the government-to-government engagements at developing a more predictable Australia-China economic relationship and facilitating trade, the vast amount of which does not involve national security.”
“We are encouraged by the increased bilateral engagement by both governments following the meeting between President Xi and PM Albanese last November. We believe that regular, substantive, and outcome-oriented dialogue can not only help to address bilateral disagreements and resolve the remaining trade issues, but will also allow us to explore areas of cooperation where our interests are aligned.”
The Australia China Business Council is a non-government, nonprofit, member-based organisation representing more than 500 Australian companies that do business in China. It was founded in 1973, just a year after the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, and is focused on advancing the China-Australia commercial relationship.
ENDS –
For media enquiries contact:
Tom Parker, CEO, Australia China Business Council
Tel: +61 413 047 951
