Premier Daniel Andrews met with a delegation of China’s senior government executives last week, demonstrating the State Government’s commitment to strengthening Victoria-China relations.
“Fostering a strong, long-term relationship with China is a top priority for the Victorian Government,” Mr Andrews told the 21-strong China Advanced Leadership Program (CALP) delegation, part of the Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZOG).
The delegation spent most of the past three weeks in Australia and New Zealand learning about governance systems and governance capacity, as part of the program which provides the foundation for continued discussions and exchanges between the Chinese and Victorian governments.
Mr Andrews said Victoria was particularly eager to continue to explore opportunities to engage more closely with Chinese provinces and key provincial cities – the engine rooms of China’s growth.
“Over the past 150 years, the Chinese community in Victoria has made a significant contribution to our cultural and economic development and continues to provide strong links between Victoria and China,” Mr Andrews said.
“China was Victoria’s largest trading partner with two-way trade valued at $19 billion in 2013-14, and had the largest international student market with about 43,000 Chinese enrolments in Victorian education institutions.”
He said China was also Victoria’s largest food and fibre export market, accounting for $2.7 billion of exports in 2013-14.
The Premier was joined by 11 ANZSOG staff, including Australian Director Professor Allan Fels AO and New Zealand Director Tony Browne.
Reviewed 09 August 2021