Premier Jacinta Allan will spend 14 to 19 September in China leading her first trade mission as Premier, launching a new five-year China Strategy across Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu and Deyang. The trip comes just two days after she toured Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum on 12 September, where she announced funding to redevelop it into the National Chinese Museum of Australia. The Bendigo visit highlighted the long-standing ties between Victoria’s Chinese community and the state, links Allan has made central to her mission abroad.
The Premier said Victoria and China shared more than 150 years of history, which had strengthened lives and the economy. “Our old friendship has made our lives better and our economy stronger,” she said. China is currently Victoria’s number one trading partner and its largest source of international visitors.
Allan said the China Strategy would seek to make Victoria “the first port of call for Chinese business to innovate and invest—and the destination of choice for Chinese people to visit and study.” She added that the strategy was designed to deliver jobs and stability “in an increasingly uncertain world,” highlighting the role of Victoria’s Chinese community as “our navigators in Chinese business and life.”
She will be joined by Paul Hamer MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs and Member for Box Hill. Before departing, Allan thanked Chinese community leaders for their role in shaping the trip. “On my departure, I take this opportunity to thank the many leaders and innovators in Victoria’s Chinese community who have shaped this visit and personally contributed to the development of our China Strategy. I’ll be proud to represent them—and all Victorians—in China this week,” she said.
The visit, however, has attracted political attention. Former Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to sign Victoria up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and his recent appearance at a military parade in Beijing, continue to fuel debate over Victoria’s relationship with China. Federal critics argue that foreign policy decisions of this nature should sit with Canberra, not Spring Street, and warn of the risks of foreign influence.
At the same time, one of Victoria’s biggest projects, the Suburban Rail Loop, is under renewed pressure. A report from Infrastructure Australia has warned that the benefits of SRL East may be overstated and has urged the government to prepare an exit plan if costs blow out further. The government has faced questions over its reliance on value capture and whether foreign investment could be used to help bridge funding gaps. Opposition figures warn that such investment cannot replace full funding commitments, and say Victorian taxpayers could ultimately carry much of the cost burden.
Against this backdrop, Allan will use the China mission to highlight sectors such as trade, education and tourism, with medical technology and clean energy also expected to feature in discussions with Chinese officials. The outcome of the visit will be closely watched, both for its potential economic benefits and for how it shapes perceptions of Victoria’s broader relationship with China ahead of next year’s state election.
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