Premier Jacinta Allan pledges $2m to Victorian Chinese communities ahead of trade trip to China

Before jetting off on a trade trip to China, Premier Jacinta Allan has dropped nearly $400,000 in Bendigo and pledged to turn a local museum into a national landmark — all part of a $2m plan to win over Chinese communities.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has given a sneak peek at what she will be unveiling when she touches down in China next week for her first trade mission to the People’s Republic.

Ms Allan launched her diplomatic offensive with a cash shower across local Chinese communities on Friday as she pledged to bring more jobs, investment and tourists to Victoria.

In Beijing on Monday, the Premier will unveil her new “China Strategy” ahead of high-level business talks with the goal of firming up relations with the economic superpower.

Premier Jacinta Allan pledged $392,000 to make Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum the “new National Chinese Museum of Australia”. Picture: Zizi Averill

The visit comes less than two weeks after Daniel Andrews caused a media storm after he was pictured with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at China’s military parade to mark 80 years since the end of WWII.

Mr Andrews made six visits to China during his premiership, including one trip where he committed Victoria to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” investment strategy.

On Friday, Ms Allan dodged a question about whether she would be meeting with Daniel Andrews in China, claiming she wasn’t aware of his plans.

“Daniel is a private citizen,” she said.

“I’m not aware of the travel plans of every private citizen here in Victoria.”

Earlier in the week, Ms Allan claimed that Mr Andrews had not helped set up any meetings with Chinese officials.

The visit comes less than two weeks after Daniel Andrews was pictured with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un at China’s military parade. Picture: Supplied

In a bid to hang on to Chinese voters swayed by her predecessor’s pro-China stance and promote regional tourism, Ms Allan began her efforts in her hometown of Bendigo on Friday.

As part of a new $2 million fund for Chinese cultural projects, she pledged $392,000 to make Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum the “new National Chinese Museum of Australia”.

Reflecting on the contribution of Chinese migrants to Victoria, who initially arrived in the midst of the Gold Rush, she said the history “underscores the importance of that connection in terms of our future opportunities in jobs investment and trade”.

“I’m looking forward next week to building on that richness of the connection we have with the Chinese community,” she said.

In a bid to hang on to Chinese voters swayed by her predecessor’s pro-China stance and promote regional tourism, Ms Allan began her efforts in her hometown of Bendigo. Picture: Josie Hayden

“It’s also looking at where the opportunities for growth are, the opportunities to attract investment into Victoria, into regional Victoria.”

Target industries will include agriculture, tourism, education, medical technology and renewable energy, she said.

“We’re doing this because it means jobs … for Victorians.”

Ms Allan will be joined by Parliamentary Secretary and Box Hill MP Paul Hamer and four backbench MPs with electorates that have significant Chinese populations, including Clarinda MP Meng Heang Tak, Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari, Ashwood MP Matt Fregon and Glen Waverley MP John Mullahy.

They are expected to join the Premier for some meetings with Chinese officials but are not part of the official delegation.

The Premier’s trade mission will run from September 14-19.