Opinion: Qld-China trade ties strengthened with official visit

Queensland this week embarks on one of our largest ever trade missions to China, writes Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Queensland this week embarks on one of our largest ever trade missions to China.

Together with representatives from tourism, agriculture, resources, business and international education sectors, I’ll be leading an intensive five-day trade mission to Beijing and Shanghai.

It’s a historic trade mission aimed at strengthening our trade relationship with China.

It’s all about growing Queensland’s export industries, which support one in five jobs in our state, and backing more good jobs, particularly in our regions.

China is Queensland’s largest goods export market, valued at over $23 billion in the past 12 months alone, and we want to grow it even more.

That’s why these next five days will be all action. It will consist of back-to-back investor meetings, official diplomatic receptions and, importantly, joining with our Queensland industry representatives to showcase our amazing Queensland export products to China and the World.

As part of the mission, I will open the Queensland pavilion at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where more than 100 delegates representing Queensland companies will promote their products.

As one of the world’s largest trade shows, this expo attracts more than 400,000 people and exhibitors from 100 countries.

Queensland products being exhibited include premium beef, seafood, horticulture, wine and beverages, processed food and health and wellness products.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Tourism is also high on the agenda. Last Wednesday saw the first China Eastern direct flight from Shanghai land at Brisbane International Airport since 2019.

Over the next three years, China Eastern services are predicted to deliver 181,014 inbound international seats, generating $314 million and supporting 1270 good Queensland jobs.

I’ll be meeting with senior executives from China Eastern Airlines on this trade mission and working to secure even more direct flights into Queensland.

And I’ll be visiting Ctrip, the nerve centre of China’s tourism economy, where we will launch a targeted tourism campaign to promote Queensland directly to the Chinese.

It will highlight the great lifestyle we all enjoy here in Queensland and the iconic tourism adventures we have to offer.

International education is also a major focus of this trade mission, with vice-chancellors joining me from UQ, QUT and Griffith University. Representatives from USQ, James Cook and Bond universities and TAFE will also join the delegation.

Our trade mission comes at the same time Anthony Albanese will also visit China, the first time an Australian prime minister has visited since 2016.

At the invitation of the Chinese government, my partner Dr Reza Adib will take time off work to also join me for a number of official engagements at no taxpayer expense.

This historic mission allows Queensland to build on the trade partnerships we have developed over time and cultivate new trade, education and tourism connections.

All of this will support Queensland industry and more good local jobs right across our state.

Annastacia Palaszczuk is Premier of Queensland