South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas will today depart for China to position South Australia as an international student destination of choice and advocate for the State’s tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, and wine industries.
He will travel with a delegation of leaders from the relevant sectors to meet China’s industry leaders and government officials to seek various opportunities for trade and investment.
One key purpose is attracting more Chinese students to South Australia following the SA government’s recent commitment of $30 million (US$19.8 million) as a key component for the new creation of Adelaide University, which will combine both the Adelaide University and the University of South Australia into one-Adelaide University.
So far, between January and June this year, about 7,500 students from China were enrolled in the SA education sector, making China the second largest contributor of international students, but there were 12,564 students from mainland China studying in SA prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A key piece of work during this trip will be positioning South Australia as a preferred destination for Chinese students to study and live,” he said.
Besides education, China continues to be South Australia’s top export market, contributing $2.8 billion to the SA’s economy, up 48 percent for the year ending July 2023, while some of the main contributors include iron ore and concentrates, refined copper, wheat, petroleum products and almonds.
“China continues to be South Australia’s largest export market and a very important trade and economic partner for our state,” Mr. Malinauskas said.
The premier will also back other well-known agricultural products, such as the famous Penfolds wine class from the Treasury Wine Estate, as part of the China trip.
“I will be advocating on behalf of our world-class capabilities and products, including wine and lobster,” said Mr. Malinauskas.
The South Australian premier is also scheduled to visit Beijing and Shanghai to further relations with different sectors for more trade opportunities during his visit.
In addition, Malinauskas will pay a special visit to Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, with which South Australia has a 37-year sister-state relationship.
“Progress has been made at a Federal Government level to stabilise relations with China, and I will be using this trip to ensure that, at a state level, our relationship remains strong,” he said.
On his way to China, the premier will first visit Singapore, where he will hold an investment round table and conduct discussions about how South Australia can capitalise on the Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement that came into force in December 2020.
Businesses and organisations represented on the mission include Thomas Foods International, Food SA, Treasury Wine Estates, Bec Hardy Wines, Ferguson Australia, the South Australia Wine Industry Association, Viterra and Maggie Beer Holdings.
