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.
Premier Cook, said, “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,” he continued.
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 framework Diversify 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.