Allan announces trade mission to China to ‘make friendship even stronger’

Jacinta Allan has unveiled plans for a trade mission to China to “make our friendship even stronger”, as the Chinese president Xi Jinping meets with Vladimir Putin in Russia to strengthen the alliance between the two countries.

Premier Jacinta Allan will follow in her predecessor’s footsteps with a trip to Beijing. Picture: David Crosling

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to head to China for the first time after taking the leadership in a bid to shore up the state’s economy.

Ms Allan announced she would be taking her second overseas trade mission to China in September, after visiting India last year.

It came as she addressed the M2050 summit at Melbourne’s Town Hall and detailed a five-point plan for Asia.

Ms Allan’s announcement comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Russia to strengthen the alliance between the two countries, during celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi announced a “no-limits” partnership in 2022, shortly before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping shake hands at the Kremlin. Picture: AP

Among the focuses of Ms Allan’s trip will be food and fibre, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and education.

“This September, I’ll be going to China to lead a trade mission,” she said.

“It will be my first visit to China as Premier. We’ll meet with business, government, educators, and people. We’ll make our friendship even stronger.”

Former premier Daniel Andrews on a trip to Beijing.

She acknowledged the difficult global trade environment, referring to the US-China trade war.

“In an era of tariffs and global economic uncertainty, I want to seize an opportunity for Victoria, and in an era of divisive, Trump-style rhetoric here and abroad, I want to make the case that Victorians from overseas are a proud part of our story to the world.”

Her visit comes after Deputy Premier Ben Carroll visited China in August last year.

Around the same time, Ms Allan made a trip to India, her first after taking over the Labor leadership from Daniel Andrews.

Ms Andrews took multiple trips to China on the public purse with one trip in 2023 costing taxpayers upwards of $80,000.

But the trip was shrouded in secrecy with journalists barred.

It’s not yet clear if Ms Allan will invites media on the trip.

Originally published as Allan announces trade mission to China to ‘make friendship even stronger’