Edition No. 12 2005
Premier Peter Beattie, Hu Jintao PRC President and Tom Burns AO
Free trade agreement with China In May 2005, the Australian Government and the People’s Republic of China commenced the first round of negotiations on an Australia-China Free Trade Agreement. This followed the conclusion of a joint feasibility study. In the lead up to the first substantive round of negotiations with China, to be held in China in August 2005, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been holding consultations with Australian States and Territories government officials, industry, non-government organisations and community groups. Queensland Government officials supported and participated in DFAT’s consultations in Brisbane in July 2005.
Business migration QGTIO-China has, with support of the Business Migration Unit, Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation, been actively promoting Queensland as a preferred investment destination for potential Chinese business migrants. This year, over 200 potential business migrants and agents have attended two business migration workshops in Shanghai and Beijing. The QGTIO-China office is currently recruiting for the forthcoming business migration mission to Queensland with 25 potential business migrants and agents. The mission members will visit Queensland from 31 July to 7 August. The program includes participation in a business migration seminar, meeting with officials from the Business Migration Unit, local councils, accounting and law firms, and other successful business migrants. Mission members will also visit schools to gain a better understanding of the living environment in Queensland. Angela Shi, Business Development Officer, QGTIOChina will accompany the mission to Queensland. Seminar on the Gold Coast Over 50 Chinese-speaking business migrants attended a seminar at the Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise in June 2005. Tracey Gilmore, Director of Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation Centre (SDTIC) Gold Coast, gave the opening address. Guest speakers included Michael Lee, SDTIC Gold Coast, Danying Ren, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Lisa Huang, Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Lin Han, Business Migration Unit. The seminar provided information to Chinese-speaking migrants on how to establish a business in Queensland. It covered Queensland Government policies and services for new exporters, products and services provided by SDTIC to assist businesses and those wanting to start-up a business, Queensland Government legislation on workplace health and safety, how to do business in Queensland and the environmental and cultural differences that could impact on business owners. For further information contact Michael Lee, SDIC Gold Coast on 07 5583 7583 or email michael.lee@sd.qld.gov.au or Lin Han, Senior State Development Officer, Business Migration on 07 3224 7837 or email lin.han@sd.qld.gov.au.
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Chinese coal mining delegation to Queensland Capitalising on China’s strong demand for coal mining technologies, equipment and safe mining practices, QGTIO-China and its allies, the China National Coal Association (CNCA) are the State Administration for Worker Safety (SAWS) have combined forces to recruit a Chinese coal mining delegation to Queensland in July 2005. Over 20 senior representatives of Chinese mining companies and bureaus joined the delegation which was led by the former Chinese Minister for Coal, Mr Pu Hong Jiu. The delegation visited Mackay to participate in a mine site visit and technical workshops and also travelled to Brisbane where they attended the first AustraliaChina Coal Summit. Premier Beattie hosted a reception for the delegation and Summit delegates to celebrate the first Australia-China Summit in Queensland. For more information on the delegation and Summit, contact Murray Davis, Trade and International Operations Division Brisbane on 07 3224 5398 or email murray.davis@premiers.qld.gov.au
V8 Supercar racing event and Queensland Deputy Premier’s visit The former Queensland Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport, the Hon Terry Mackenroth MP made his first visit to China to launch the inaugural Shanghai round of the V8 Supercar Champion Series racing. More than two years in the making, the Shanghai round of the V8 Supercar Champion Series covered three days and was held at the new Shanghai International Circuit (SIC). Only officially opened last year, SIC is regarded as one of the best race tracks in the world. Over three million tourists are expected to visit the Shanghai circuit each year. During his three-day program in Shanghai, the former Deputy Premier met with Vice Mayor Yang Xiaodu of Shanghai and the Director-General of Shanghai Sports Bureau. The former Deputy Premier joined Chinese and Australian VIPs including the Vice-Minister of the General Administration of the National Sports Bureau of China, Mr Yu Zaiqing to give congratulatory speeches at the official opening ceremony and at the farewell function. The Shanghai round of the V8 Supercars series was a record breaking event in many ways. It was the largest single airlift in the history of Australian sport - with 32 cars, more than 100 tonnes of freight and 420 personnel teams, media and race officials - all flown to Shanghai for this first Australian motor racing event in China. More importantly, the V8 was brought to China by Queensland company, AVESCO and its Chinese partner, property giant the Shanghai Greenland Group. It marked the largest and most significant Australian sports event ever to be held in China.
It is estimated that over 50,000 people attended the final V8 race at the SIC on Sunday 12 June, with a total event attendance of more than 80,000 for the three day racing event. The V8 and its related high-profile promotions boosted Queensland's profile in Shanghai and the greater China market, thanks to the nation-wide five hour broadcasting of the event by the Shanghai TV Sport Channel. The V8 supercar series is broadcast to an international audience in 130 countries.
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The significance of this event was recognised by its inclusion in the seventh Sister State Memorandum of Understanding between the Queensland Government and the Shanghai Government which was re-signed by the Queensland Premier, Hon Peter Beattie MP and the Mayor of Shanghai, Hon Han Zheng in July 2004. This strong relationship will continue to pay dividends for many years to come, particularly in the countdown to World Expo 2010 which will be hosted in Shanghai. For more information contact Julie Westley, Trade and International Operations Division on 07 3224 5398 or email: julie.westley@premiers.qld.gov.au or Angela Shi, QGTIO-China: angela.shi@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Queensland Parliamentary Delegation to South China QGTIO Hong Kong and South China organised a visitation program for a Queensland Parliamentary delegation which was led by the Hon Craig Wallace MP, Member for Thuringowa, to Hong Kong and South China from 21-25 June 2005. The delegation met with senior government officials of Guangdong Province National People’s Congress, Foshan Municipal National People’s Congress and Zhaoqing City Government to enhance government to government relations, as well as to promote the export of Queensland’s environmental management expertise, health care services, and education and training to this region.
Mr Liang Guoan, Deputy Mayor of Zhaoqing City with Mr Craig Wallace MP, Member for Thuringowa, Ms Liddy Clark, Member for Clayfield, Mr Terry Sullivan, Member for Stafford, Mr Simon Lee, Commissioner, QGTIO – South China and members of the Deputy Mayors’ office.
For further information about the visit, contact Simon Lee, Commissioner QGTIO Hong Kong and South China on hongkong@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Minister Tom Barton’s visit to China The Hon Tom Barton, Minister for Department of Employment, Training and Industrial Relations visited China 18-25 June 2005. Facilitated by QGTIO-China, Minister Barton hosted a Vocational Education and Training forum in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province in conjunction with Jiangsu Provincial Education Department and a Secondary Vocational Education Forum in Shanghai in conjunction with Shanghai Xuhui District Education Bureau.
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A total of 200 participants from both China and Queensland were estimated to have attended the two forums. Minister Barton was also invited to attend the Shanghai Vocational Education Forum organised by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, as a keynote speaker. During the visit, he met with the China Huaneng Group and the China General Chamber of Commerce to discuss collaborative opportunities in employment and training. For more information, contact Nina Shen, QGTIO-China on email nina.shen@premiers.qld.gov.au or Jacqueline Yuan on email jacqueline.yuan@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Raising Queensland horse industry profile Organised by QGTIO-China and the Trade and International Operations Division, buyers from Beijing Hui Tong Nuo Er Equestrian Club participated in a horse buying mission to Queensland 11-17 June 2005. The mission visited the Magic Millions auction on the Gold Coast, Gold Coast Polo Club, Eagle Farm Racecourse, Traintech 2000, breeders/businesses in the Beaudesert region and saddlery manufacturers in Caboolture. The mission was a direct result of an equestrian mission to China in September 2004. The buyers expressed interest in further discussions with several Queensland firms. They extended their visit to conduct additional meetings with the Gold Coast Polo Club. It is expected that the visit will generate horse sales and training packages within the next few months. For more information, please contact Danying Ren, Overseas Market Development (East China) on 07 32242033 or email: danying.ren@premiers.qld.gov.au or Jack Wan, QGTIO-China on jack.wan@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Education Roadshow in South China A series of exhibitions, seminars and networking business meetings were organised by QGTIO Hong Kong and South China for 10 Queensland education providers representing the tertiary, high school (both government and private), VET and English language sectors during the first week of July in the Pearl River Delta namely Guangzhou, Jiangmen and Panyu City. It was expected that over 1000 students from targeted local high schools/colleges would visit the exhibition or participate at the seminars. Significant support was rendered by the local education bureau to organise this important event. A range of outcomes are expected from the roadshow including student recruitment, study tours, TESO training as well as public servant training program. For further information contact Cissy Luk in the QGTIO Hong Kong and South China office on cissy.luk@premiers.qld.gov.au.
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Shenzhen Vice Mayor to visit Queensland The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) will stage the first international exhibitor, China Shenzhen Trade Show at this year’s Ekka in the historical John Reid Pavilion 11-20 August 2005. The Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Chen Yingchun will lead a delegation of five government officials and over 100 delegates from Shenzhen enterprises to participate in the event. There will be approximately 40 enterprises showcasing and displaying their leading edge technical products, Chinese furniture, games and toys and other accessories at the Shenzhen Trade Show. A group of 13 performers from the Shenzhen Arts Troupe will be performing daily shows at the Shenzhen Pavilion, comprising of acrobatic and cultural dance performances. For further details about the event please contact Judy Liu, International Relations Co-ordinator of Brisbane City Council on judy.liu@brisbane.qld.gov.au for further details about the Vice Mayor’s visit, please contact Angela To, QGTIO Hong Kong and South China on +852 2827 1839 or angela.to@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Marine success QGTIO-China and Trade and International Operations Division, have initiated a strategy to target Chinese marine opportunities for Queensland boat building industry and marine engineering firms. Over the past two years, two Queensland marine missions have visited the Shanghai International Boat Show and two Chinese boat missions have paid reciprocal visits to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in 2004 and 2005. As a direct achievement of the ongoing promotion of the Queensland marine industry, a Queensland marine mission member has just signed a contract to export the very first special vehicle to Zhejiang Province, with direct support provided by the QGTIO-China. The vehicle is to be displayed at a local boat show in early September and will then be used by the local government departments. It is expected that more vehicles will be exported to the region as there are a number of rivers and lakes that provide a significant niche market for these vehicles. For further information, contact Kevin Xie in the QGTIO-China office on kevin.xie@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Queensland on Chinese television Mr Larry Zetlin, member of the Queensland China Council’s Cultural and Educational Advisory sub committee, through his company Gulliver Media Australia Pty Ltd, promotes Queensland and Australia on Chinese television. His company has an unusual and unique way of producing programs for the Chinese viewers. Its production partner in Beijing, Beijing Science and Education Studio, is part of China Central Television (CCTV), China's national broadcaster. CCTV has 20 terrestrial, cable and satellite stations that service all of China. The programs they produce for CCTV cover such topics as education, science, technology and primary production just to name a few. The stories are broadcasted to a potential audience of 900 million viewers in China. Some of the stories that have been produced by Gulliver Media for broadcast by CCTV include: • Wool. Filmed in SW Queensland. Sponsored by Woolmark. • Energy Efficient Greenhouses. Filmed on the Darling Downs. Sponsored by the Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Dept of Public Works, Housing and Racing. • Tropical Building Research. Filmed in Rockhampton. Sponsored by Dept of Public Works, Housing and Racing. • Chinese Secondary Students in Queensland. Filmed on the Sunshine Coast. Sponsored by Gulliver Media. • Integrated Public Transport. Featuring the Brisbane City Council. Sponsored by Gulliver Media.
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Methane from Sewerage. Featuring the work of the Brisbane City Council's Luggage Point Sewerage works. Sponsored by Gulliver Media. Heavy Transport. Filmed in SE Queensland and Mt Isa. Sponsored by the Dept of Transport and Main Roads. Building of the Gold Coast Highway. Sponsored by the Dept of Transport and Main Roads. Mine Safety (SIMTARS). Filmed in Brisbane and Ipswich. Sponsored by the Dept of Mines Queensland. Skylights. Filmed in Brisbane and SE Queensland. Sponsored by Skydome and Dept of Public Works Queensland. Controlled Plowing. Filmed University of Queensland Gatton Campus. Sponsored by University of Queensland and Gulliver Media.
Gulliver Media also produced a video in Chinese for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) titled Agriculture in Australia which provided an overview of nearly all of Australia's primary production. It is also working on a project with the Queensland Government on Beef in Queensland.
Members of the Queensland China Council met with Madam Liu, Consul, People’s Republic of China in Brisbane and her staff on 22 June.
If you do not want to receive further newsletters, please email tom.burns@premiers.qld.gov.au.
Trade and International Operations Division Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation Ph. +61 7 3224 4035 Email: tradeinfo@premiers.qld.gov.au Web address: www.export.qld.gov.au Taiwan Office Ronald Huang, Commissioner Tel: + 886 2 2723 0656 E-mail: taipei@premiers.qld.gov.au China Office Zijian Zhang, Commissioner Tel: + 86 21 5292 9090 E-mail: shanghai@premiers.qld.gov.au Hong Kong and Southern China Office Simon Lee, Commissioner Tel: + 852 2827 1839 E-mail: hongkong@premiers.qld.gov.au
While every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this publication is accurate, neither the Department nor the Queensland Government nor its agents accept any responsibility for information in this publication or liability for any loss or damage incurred by any person relying on the information.
The 2005 Premier of Queensland's Export Awards presentation dinner will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 27 October. For information on the Queensland Government's Trade Strategy and Services visit: www.export.qld.gov.au
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