Speeches
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Reception at the Australian Embassy, Beijing
I am delighted to be with you this evening.
We gather at a particularly auspicious time, as we celebrate 40 years of our Sister-State Relationship with Shandong Province.
Almost two years ago to the day, I stood here on my first visit to Beijing as Governor and spoke of the Government of South Australia’s commitment to its long-standing and constructive relationship with China.
I spoke of the importance of trade and investment and welcomed the positive developments that had seen a resumption in the trade of premium South Australian products.
With that in mind, I thank and commend the Ambassador and his embassy colleagues for their tireless efforts to support the stabilisation of the bilateral relationship.
South Australia has always sought constructive dialogue with our Chinese counterparts.
Our state cherishes its long-standing relationship with China, built on people-to-people ties, mutual respect and shared regional aspirations.
We are proud of the role we play as a reliable trading partner for China.
The easing of trade barriers has enabled our exporters, especially in wine and seafood, to re-engage with Chinese markets, strengthen important commercial relationships and create new opportunities for growth across various sectors.
It is encouraging to see the strength of our trade returning, supported by a shared recognition of the role in ensuring China’s energy and food security.
South Australia’s world class education system also sits at the heart of our strong partnership with China, and I am proud to accompanied by a significant delegation of education representatives .
Together, we have had a positive discussion with Dr Du Jiangfeng, Vice Minister of Education, during which we explored opportunities to deepen our transnational education cooperation.
Education has long been a cornerstone of South Australia’s international engagement.
We are home to world-leading institutions, including Flinders University and Adelaide University, the latter recognised as a top 100 university globally.
The global reach of the South Australian Certificate of Education continues to increase.
I am delighted to welcome representatives from Haileybury International School Tianjin this evening, with whom I’ve had an encouraging and constructive conversation about its recent transition to the SACE.
From schooling to university there is a focus in South Australia on ensuring students are set up for the future through their learning.
Collaborations between our education institutions and industry equip students with practical skills and experiences, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges and move successfully into vocational education or university pathways.
Arts and culture also play a vital role in connecting our communities.
South Australia is proud to host major events such as the OzAsia Festival, and to support leading cultural institutions including State Opera South Australia.
These platforms create meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and to deepen mutual understanding.
We are also delighted to have reinstated our direct air links from Adelaide to China via Guangzhou and Shanghai, through China Southern and China Eastern respectively, and with Hong Kong through Cathay Pacific.
Tourism and aviation are key enablers of our relationship, and these links are facilitating the movement of people, ideas and investment between our regions.
As I mentioned, 2026 is a significant year in South Australia’s relationship with China, and Shandong Province in particular.
I will travel to Jinan tomorrow and meet with the Governor of Shandong Province, Zhou Naixing, whom I welcomed to South Australia in November last year on his first visit and met the year before in Jinan on mine.
Over four decades, South Australia’s Sister-State Relationship with Shandong Province has grown from a formal agreement into a dynamic and multifaceted partnership.
This partnership brings mutual benefits spanning extensive trade and investment partnerships in food, wine and agribusiness, education, energy, arts and culture, sports, tourism, and sustainability.
We have been working together on approaches to decarbonisation and the green economy, food, wine and agribusiness cooperation, education and skills development.
The partnership reflects not only our shared economic interests, but a deep and lasting committing to cooperation and mutual understanding.
Reciprocal high-level visits, particularly over the past couple of years, signify a renewed commitment by both sides to achieve positive and long-lasting outcomes.
It is pleasing, as I return to Jinan to be able to speak about concrete examples of engagement that have been agreed by both parties, and the productive conversations that are taking place through our structured cooperation.
I hope to continue demonstrating this commitment over the next few days as I travel across Shandong Province.
I look forward to these positive engagements throughout my visit and am optimistic for what these opportunities will present for South Australia.
This year, as we commence the Year of the Horse, we recognise a symbol of strength, endurance and forward momentum.
It is a fitting reflection of the enduring partnership between South Australia and China – one that has been built over time and continues to move ahead with energy and optimism.
I invite you to join me in looking to the future in the spirit of respect and of friendship.