Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment

The Hon Steven Ciobo MP Visit to China

Media release

16 May 2018

This week I will travel to Shanghai to advance preparations for Australia’s participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE); and attend Asia’s largest food and beverage exhibition, SIAL China. This will be my 13th official visit to China over the past three years.

China is expected to import goods and services worth more than US$10 trillion annually by 2023. China is inviting countries to showcase their exports at CIIE and the Expo will be a major global event. Australia was the first country invited to CIIE - a testament to our close and growing economic relationship with China.

I will lead a delegation of Australian businesses to CIIE in November, creating new opportunities for Australian exporters to grow their trade with our largest trading partner. The Australian Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with CIIE organisers for an Australian pavillion at the Expo.

This will be the second occasion I have attended the SIAL China Exhibition. I will support Australian businesses at the Exhibition and promote the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) that is helping grow, among others, our food and beverage exports. More than 60 Australian businesses are exhibiting at SIAL China.

While in Shanghai I will also deliver the keynote address at the annual AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards. I will likewise attend events to promote the second annual AFL match at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast.

China is Australia’s largest trading partner, largest source of tourists, fifth-largest direct investor and an important partner for regional cooperation. Growing trade, tourism and investment with China will create new Australian jobs and is part of the Turnbull Coalition Government’s plan for stronger economy.

Source: www.trademinister.gov.au