Victoria and China share more than 150 years of history.
Our old friendship has made our lives better and our economy stronger.
Today, China is our number one trading partner and our number one source of international visitors.
On behalf of Victoria, I am honoured to lead a delegation to China to renew our friendship for the future, so we can make the most of the economic opportunities that stand before us.
On my third visit to China and my first as Premier, I will be visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing in our earliest sister-state of Jiangsu Province, and Chengdu and Deyang in our newest sister-state of Sichuan Province.
I will be joined on the delegation by Paul Hamer MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs and Member for Box Hill.
In Beijing, I will launch Victoria's China Strategy to guide our engagement over the next five years.
Through that strategy, we want Victoria to become the first port of call for Chinese business to innovate and invest - and the destination of choice for Chinese people to visit and study.
That delivers jobs and stability in an increasingly uncertain world, and it will benefit everyone in our state - including our Chinese community, who honour us as our navigators in Chinese business and life.
On my departure, I take this opportunity to thank the many leaders and innovators in Victoria's Chinese community who have shaped this visit and personally contributed to the development of our China Strategy.
I'll be proud to represent them - and all Victorians - in China this week.
