Australia-China Business Ties Draw Bipartisan Support at Canberra Networking Day
More than 200 business representatives and political figures attended the Australia China Business Council’s event at Parliament House, highlighting opportunities to expand trade, investment and cooperation across key sectors.
CANBERRA — Australia’s major political parties have reiterated their support for stronger economic and trade relations with China, as business leaders and senior officials gathered at Parliament House for the Australia China Business Council’s (ACBC) Canberra Networking Day 2026 on 15 October.
More than 200 ACBC members and representatives from Australian and Chinese businesses attended the event, which brought together government ministers, opposition leaders and diplomats to discuss the future of bilateral economic cooperation.
Among those attending were Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Nationals Leader Matt Canavan and Australia’s Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, Tim Watts.
ACBC National President Rhys Roberts delivered the opening remarks, while speakers highlighted the scale of China’s economic transformation and the importance of maintaining commercial ties between the two countries.
China remains Australia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade underpinning economic activity across multiple industries. Speakers at the event emphasised that the relationship delivers benefits to both countries and enjoys support across Australia’s political spectrum.
Discussions focused on opportunities to expand cooperation in energy, natural resources and agriculture, while strengthening collaboration in tourism, climate change and people-to-people exchanges.
Australian businesses were also encouraged to participate in the China International Import Expo and explore opportunities in the Chinese market, including those associated with the review of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Liu Jinsong said bilateral economic and trade cooperation was entering a new phase, with established areas of commercial engagement continuing to perform alongside emerging sources of growth.
He stressed the importance of consolidating and advancing the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to support stable and sustained economic cooperation.
Ambassador Liu called on both countries to treat each other as equals, manage differences constructively and pursue mutually beneficial partnerships. He also urged businesses to uphold entrepreneurial values, honour contractual commitments and build on existing commercial relationships while identifying new areas for growth.
The Chinese Embassy in Australia actively participated in and supported the networking day, underlining the role of diplomatic engagement in facilitating business links between the two countries.
Chinese Minister Li Fanjie attended the event’s executive dinner, where he held exchanges with guests, including Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite. Commercial Counsellor Wang Xin was also present throughout the programme.
The gathering comes as Australia and China continue to pursue economic engagement across trade, investment and regional cooperation, with businesses looking to identify new opportunities while navigating differences between the two countries.
For both sides, the challenge will be to translate political support and diplomatic engagement into sustained commercial outcomes, particularly in sectors where their economies offer complementary capabilities.
