NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong will travel to China today, leading a delegation of over 50 NSW businesses and senior NSW government representatives to the 30th NSW-Guangdong Joint Economic Meeting (JEM) in Guangzhou.
The JEM is the cornerstone of NSW's 46-year sister-state relationship with Guangdong, China's largest provincial economy, and an important biennial opportunity to meet with senior Guangdong Government representatives to exchange views on bilateral cooperation, including trade.
As part of the mission, the Minister will travel alongside NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Greg Piper to meet with government and industry leaders, attend site visits, engage with NSW businesses and potential investors in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong. These engagements will strengthen relationships and create new opportunities for NSW businesses.
The Minister's mission will include a visit to one of Guangzhou's leading public hospitals to meet with patients who have received cochlear implants. This follows the 2023 JEM, held in Sydney, which led to a nation-first agreement for NSW-based, global medtech company Cochlear, to supply medical devices across Guangdong's Greater Bay Area hospitals.
The delegation will also include two recent winners at the NSW Export Awards - NSW Exporter of the Year Southern Star Research and NSW Regional Exporter of the Year Flavourtech.
This mission is an important opportunity to deliver on the objectives of the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy, which sets a bold vision to grow exports by $100 billion, attract $25 billion in investment, and create 30,000 new jobs by 2035.
This mission follows the Australian Government's patient and calibrated approach to stabilising the bilateral relationship with China, including visits from the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese earlier this year, and Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, as recently as early November.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"This mission is about putting the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy into action.
"The NSW-Guangdong Joint Economic Meeting plays a crucial role in our economic engagement, and this year's 30th meeting is a significant mark of our commitment.
"NSW is a trading state and China is a major trading partner.
"The record number of businesses travelling with me to JEM means our world class offerings in decarbonisation, health and life sciences and food and beverage manufacturing will be on show and ready to grow in the China market."
NSW Exporter of the Year 2025, Southern Star Research Director and Founder David Lloyd said:
"Being part of this delegation is a tremendous opportunity. The Joint Economic Meeting gives us direct access to government and industry leaders in China, helping us showcase our capabilities and explore new partnerships.
"Strengthening these connections is vital for opening new markets, driving investment, and ensuring NSW businesses remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy."
NSW Regional Exporter of the Year 2025, Flavourtech CEO and Chairman Leon Skaliotis said:
"Attending the last Joint Economic Meeting was a turning point for our business - it opened doors we simply couldn't have accessed otherwise.
"Going back again this year gives us the chance to build on those relationships, showcase how far we've come, and explore new opportunities in China's dynamic market. For us, the JEM isn't just about trade discussions, it's about real connections that help our business grow and thrive."
