Jacinta Allan to unveil ‘China strategy’ in Beijing in first visit to the nation as Premier

In a bid to retain Chinese voters — won over by Daniel Andrews’ pro-China stance — Jacinta Allan is making her first trip to Beijing as Premier, and the Suburban Rail Loop is expected to be on the agenda.

The Suburban Rail Loop is expected to be on the agenda during crucial talks between Premier Jacinta Allan and influential industry leaders in China this week.

Ms Allan will jet off on her first visit to China as Premier on Sunday night to tighten relations with the economic superpower and unveil plans to level up Victoria’s trade, education, tourism and innovation sectors.

In a bid to retain Chinese voters won over by Daniel Andrews’ pro-China stance ahead of next year’s election, Ms Allan’s commitments are expected to line up with key transport projects, including the SRL, and educational institutions serving Victoria’s Chinese communities.

The SRL will be a key focus for Premier Jacinta Allan when she visits China. Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority

Four of five MPs who will join the Premier for part of the trip, including parliamentary secretary and Box Hill MP Paul Hamer, Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak, Ashwood MP Matt Fregon and Glen Waverley MP John Mullahy, represent electorates along or near the SRL.

All also represent electorates with the highest Chinese populations.

The Herald Sun understands there could also be talks with Chinese investors as the government searches for money-backers for future housing projects surrounding the SRL.

Locking in foreign investment for the rail line could enable the government to finalise its plans for ‘value capture’ – a revenue raising mechanism that is supposed to provide a third of the funds for the $34.5bn line.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, state ministers are increasingly confident that the Albanese government will top up its current $2.2bn funding commitment once its value capture blueprint is sorted.

Under the plan, beneficiaries of the project, such as developers, would be forced to pay a levy to fund the building of the controversial train line.

Ms Allan’s visit comes after a photo of Mr Andrews at China’s military parade alongside North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin went viral and triggered a media frenzy.

Daniel Andrews at China’s military parade alongside Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. Picture: Sergey Bobylev

Describing himself as an “old friend of the Chinese people”, Mr Andrews made six visits to the People’s Republic during his premiership, signing up Victoria to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” which was later scrapped by the federal government.

The Premier will unveil her new “China Strategy” in Beijing on Monday ahead of high-level business talks and key trade, education, transport, energy and technology announcements.

She has promised that the trade mission will bring more jobs, investment and tourists to Victoria.

A Victorian government spokesman said Ms Allan would meet with “business, government, educators, and communities”.

“The Premier will bring Victoria’s new China strategy to China,” she said.

“The strategy is about a new era of jobs, growth and stability for Victorian workers, and a new era of respect for Victorians from the Chinese community.”

On Friday, Ms Allan announced $2m for Victorian Chinese cultural projects, including $392,000 to make Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum the “new National Chinese Museum of Australia”.