Networking the name of the game as Chinese New Year shifts into gear

Improved ties between Australia and China and the reopening of borders for tourism and business travel are driving an upbeat mood for 2025, the year of the snake.

Traditional Chinese dragon dances greeting visitors to the Crown Perth casino.

Business events celebrating the Chinese lunar New Year step up next week, with gala dinners planned in the major capitals and casinos gearing up to mark the Year of the Snake, which was ushered in on Wednesday.

Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill is sponsoring a combined event for the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) and the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia, at Perth’s Optus stadium on Wednesday night. Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue is also a sponsor.

Brisbane has an ACBC dinner on Thursday at the Sofitel and among the sponsors is Chinese electric car company BYD.

About 400 people are expected to attend a dinner planned for Sydney on February 10, which will be attended by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

An ACBC dinner will be held the next day at Melbourne’s Red Emperor Restaurant.

ACBC chief executive Tom Parker said improved ties between Australia and China, and the reopening of borders for tourism and business travel were helping to drive a more upbeat mood in celebrations.

“Despite geopolitical headwinds there is confidence in the Australia-China business relationship,” he said.

“This has been reflected in meetings, conversations and comments from both political parties ahead of the 2025 federal election.”

He said the ACBC had experienced an 18 per cent increase in membership over the past year, particularly from larger corporate members.

“It reflects the renewed focus in the bilateral relationship,” Mr Parker said.

He said the council has been hosting an increasing number of inbound Chinese delegations from businesses as diverse as Chongqing hotpot chains to Tsinghua university in Beijing.

“There has also been a similar increase in provincial and municipal government delegations also seeking investment opportunities from Australian organisations back into China,” he said.

There had been an rise in tourism from China as a result of Chinese airlines recommencing pre-pandemic direct flights into Australian capital cities.

Mr Parker said the New Year dinners would be attended by representatives from business, academia and government and that state trade ministers would attend events in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, while governors would attend in Sydney and Brisbane.

Mr Parker said 2025 also marked the 10th anniversary of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement.

“There will be opportunities to reflect on the importance of this agreement and how it has benefited our bilateral relations but also use it as a time to look ahead to how we can improve and include new areas of trade and engagement,” he said.

The Crown Group is staging two weeks of events in its casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney until February 9, marking its 30th year of celebrating Lunar New Year.

Visitors can expect to see traditional lion and dragon dances, ceremonial events, as well as live music and entertainment and special menus at restaurants.

This year, Crown Melbourne’s Atrium will feature a display of the snake zodiac under a ceiling illuminated by lanterns.

Crown Perth’s lobby has an oriental-inspired garden pop-up, roving lion and dragon dances, and performances, including an ensemble of Chinese upright drum, an ancient zither, didgeridoo and piano.

Crown Sydney will see the opening of former Chinatown icon Golden Century at its new location with a giant custom snake sculpture as well as roving lion dances throughout the property.

“Crown is honoured to be a long-time supporter of Lunar New Year celebrations across Australia,” Crown Resorts chief executive, David Tsai, said.

“This vibrant event unites communities and fosters cultural appreciation and respect.

“We look forward to helping our international visitors and local guests create a memorable and prosperous start to the Year of the Snake.”

Originally published as Networking the name of the game as Chinese New Year shifts into gear