- First official WA Government visit to Sichuan Province in southwest China kicks off four-day mission to China
- Premier Roger Cook to undertake high-level meetings with Chinese Government stakeholders and industry leaders in both Sichuan and Shanghai
- China remains WA's largest trading partner with $158.1 billion of goods traded in 2022-23
Premier Roger Cook has embarked on his first official mission to China, where he will explore new investment and trade opportunities and promote ongoing mutually beneficial outcomes between Western Australia and China.
The four-day mission begins today with the WA Government's first official visit to Sichuan Province, which is home to more than 83 million people and the gateway to Southwestern China. In recent years, the region has been recognised as an increasingly important economic hub.
The focus of the visit will be exploring new opportunities in this rapidly emerging market, beyond the energy sector in which WA has already had success attracting significant investment from Sichuan-based companies.
The Premier will also meet with key industry leaders and stakeholders across resources, aviation and energy in Shanghai.
During the visit, the State Government will promote future collaboration opportunities in areas such as tourism, international education and aviation, in line with the State's economic development frameworkDiversify WA.
The Premier will also undertake high-level meetings with key Chinese Government leaders to help raise the profile of WA in China, build further awareness of the State's strengths and capabilities, and deepen the bilateral relationship.
WA accounted for 52 per cent of Australia's total trade goods with China over the last financial year, with $158.1 billion in goods traded in 2022-23.
Visit Invest and Trade WA's China Market Outlook 2022-23 for more information on trade and investment opportunities:China Market Outlook 2022-23.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"WA's mutually beneficial relationship with China is incredibly important to growth and prosperity for both regions.
"In leading my first official mission to China as the Premier of Western Australia, I hope to build on our long investment and trade history and explore new avenues in which we can work together.
"Following on from the first high-level delegation from Sichuan's visit to WA in May, I am proud to lead the WA Government's first official visit to Sichuan in China's key southwest region.
"This important visit shows a mutual commitment to positive and ongoing engagement, and strengthened trade links that will encourage further investment in WA."
