China expo a shop window for Australian business

Australia has a huge opportunity to showcase local business at the first China import expo in Shanghai this week.

Simon Birmingham is introduced to guests by Shanghai Cred’s founder/chairman Gui Guojie at an Australian consulate function in Shanghai yesterday. Picture: Chris Crerar

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has backed the move by ­Victoria to sign up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking in Shanghai yesterday, where he is attending this week’s import expo, Senator Birmingham said the federal government welcomed that China was investing more in the region as a result of its BRI.

“We welcome the fact that Victoria has shown their enthusiasm and initiative,” he said on his first visit to China as Trade Minister.

“The Australia government welcomes the fact that, through (the BRI), China is investing more across our regions,” he said.

Australia China Business Council president John Brumby said the expo provided a “huge opportunity” for Australian business at a time when China was under pressure from US protectionism.

He said it came at an ideal time for Australian companies when China was under pressure from Donald Trump’s trade war.

Senator Birmingham said investment in the region that was “sustainable and productive” was to be encouraged: “It needs to ­always respect the sovereignty of those countries for the long-term interests of those countries.”

He also backed China’s broader investment in the Asia-Pacific region, despite criticism in other quarters that China was becoming too influential in the Pacific ­islands through its development aid.

“Australia has long had an ­active investment profile across our region, supporting developing countries,” he said. “We welcome other partners to that table.”

His comments come after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews become the first Australian leader to sign up to President Xi Jinping’s BRI. Victoria’s move contrasts with the federal government, which last year signed a memorandum of understanding on investment in third countries but is yet to formally sign up to the BRI.

Senator Birmingham’s positive comments about one of Mr Xi’s signature ventures comes as there are signs of further thawing in Australia’s relationship with China. He attended a state dinner last night ahead of the expo, which Mr Xi opens today.

He declined to comment on a report in The Weekend Australian that Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei — banned from participation in the construction of Australia’s 5G network — had been used by Chinese intelligence to get access codes to infiltrate a foreign network.

“We don’t comment on particular security assessments,” he said. “The 5G decision was taken as a principled decision, to not ­facilitate involvement of any companies that could be subject to ­direct state control or influence.”

Senator Birmingham said this week’s expo would provide a good showcase for the best of Australia’s food and wine and other products it had to offer China.