New South Wales and China enjoy a strong and enduring friendship. NSW is proud of this relationship and I was delighted to return to China in July for my second official visit as Premier of NSW.

 

Since 1972, when the Australian Government established diplomatic relations with China, our two nations have grown closer.

 

NSW celebrates with China this year the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

 

During my trip, I visited Guangzhou and reaffirmed to His Excellency Mr Xiaodan Zhu the importance that NSW attaches to our sister-state relationship with the Province of Guangdong.

 

In 1979, when NSW established a sister-state relationship with Guangdong, we were the first Australian state to form such a partnership.

 

Since then, our sister-state relationship has promoted trade, investment, cultural and other links between Guangdong and NSW. The Joint Economic Meetings, an important aspect of our sister-state relationship, have contributed to that growth.

 

I also visited Jinan, Chengdu and Beijing.

 

NSW, as Australia’s largest state economy which is worth more than $400 billion, has much to offer China.

 

NSW stands out from other locations because of our diverse economy.

 

Almost 85 percent of industry income is generated from services and NSW also has the largest manufacturing sector in Australia.

 

NSW is home to 44 percent of Australia’s finance and insurance industry, 44 percent of the information media and communications industry, 35 percent of the professional, scientific and technical services, 36 percent of the arts and recreation services and 33 percent of the manufacturing industry.

 

About one third of Australia’s processed food production, investment, research and development takes place in NSW.

 

Exploration and mining companies choose NSW because of its large, diverse and rich mineral deposits, including coal, as well as metallic, industrial and construction minerals.

 

NSW is also home to 45 percent of the top 500 companies by revenue in Australia.

 

Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have both given NSW a AAA credit rating, reflecting our economy’s strength in withstanding changing economic circumstances.

 

China is now NSW’s largest bilateral trading partner and an increasing source of investment.

 

Two-way merchandise trade reached $24 billion in 2010-11.

 

NSW also has deep cultural and people-to-people links with China. These are the foundations upon which we have established a flourishing economic relationship.

 

There are many more opportunities for us to explore to work together and benefit together.

 

NSW is determined to vigorously compete for investment and trade opportunities for NSW companies in China, and also for Chinese investors looking at projects in NSW.

 

China’s five leading banks are now established in NSW, making it easier for Chinese companies to invest and do business in our state.

 

Education is another strength of NSW.

 

NSW is home to 11 world-class universities and in 2011, there were about 62,600 enrolments by Chinese students in educational institutions in NSW.

 

We are honoured that Chinese students see NSW as the right place in which to gain a high quality education. These students make a wonderful contribution to our state. Just as importantly, it is critical that China’s future leaders are interacting with the future leaders of our own country.

 

NSW is a leading destination for international students, attracting about 37.5 per cent of all international student enrolments in 2011 – more than any other state.

 

NSW enjoys a strong global reputation for internationally respected qualifications, world-class research and teaching, cultural diversity and a safe study environment.

 

Our state demonstrates particular excellence in a number of education and research disciplines, including the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, business, economics and social sciences, all of which offer students a strong platform on which to build a globally relevant career.

 

Our state is an international leader in science, research and technology. This is the result of a long tradition of first class education, cutting edge research institutions and strong links between government, industry and education bodies.

 

We can boast an outstanding record of achievement and innovation across a variety of fields – from next generation communications and renewable energy to robotics, biotechnology, climate systems, food security, health and more.

 

NSW research and innovation can be found around the world, including Cochlear hearing implants, Wi-Fi technology, Google maps and high efficiency solar cells.

 

NSW has the largest research sector in Australia – a country ranked first in the Asia Pacific for the quality of its research institutions and 10th worldwide by the World Economic Forum survey.

 

NSW is an economy that is open for business, including international business.

 

We are firmly committed to building stronger trade and investment opportunities between NSW and our Chinese counterparts.

 

NSW Government Trade Offices in China

 

Guangzhou

Unit D, Level 10, Development Center Building,

No. 3 Linjiang Dadao, Pearl River New City,

Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China

T: +86 20 3785 3009

F: +86 20 3785 0037

E: guangzhou@sydneyaustralia.com.cn

 

 

Shanghai

Unit 2208, Level 22, CITIC Square,

1168 Nanjing West Road,

Shanghai, 200040, China

T: +86 21 5292 8833 (ext 801)

F: +86 21 5292 5557

E: shanghai@sydneyaustralia.com.cn