Why China?
Queensland and China share deep cultural, social and economic ties dating back to the 19th century, when Chinese migrants worked in the goldfields of North Queensland and helped to establish the region’s agricultural industry.
Today, China is Queensland’s largest trading partner and remains vital to our State's future prosperity.
It is also a significant source of foreign investment to Australia, and the state’s largest source of international student enrolments.
Queensland-China Trade and Investment Strategy 2025
Our Queensland-China Trade and Investment Strategy 2025 strengthens the Queensland-China trade and investment relationship to support our clients, investors, and education providers to achieve commercial success and jobs growth in key opportunity areas.
It identifies strategic priorities to support business opportunities in areas such as health, advanced manufacturing, energy, food and agribusiness and education and training.
This Strategy reflects Queensland’s commitment to strong partnerships across China.
China is the world's second largest economy, driving one-third of global growth
China is Australia's fifth largest source of foreign direct investment
*Combined total of Mainland China and Hong Kong Special administrative region.
China is Queensland's largest trading partner and export market
Key partnerships
Queensland has strong market access for exporters offered by trade agreements.
These include the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (A-HKFTA), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
China is Queensland's top trading partner and a major investor, driving both imports and exports. China is vital for Queensland's manufacturing, providing key components and supplies.
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has enabled Queensland businesses to benefit from agreed tariff reductions when exporting products to China, including; agricultural products and processed food, resources, engineering goods and services and manufactured products.
Queensland exporters and delegates at China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Attractive opportunities for Queensland businesses
China now possesses the world's largest middle class and continues to offer significant opportunities for Queensland companies.
Queensland's export strengths continue to complement Chinese demand and offer opportunities across food and agriculture, complimentery medicine, health, design and education.
Opportunities for investment and partnerships exist in commercially viable renewables, traditional energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
Buyers connecting with Queensland exporters at China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Opportunities and challenges
- Projected growth of e-commerce and rising disposable incomes in China’s lower tier cities are opening new export opportunities for Queensland’s food, agriculture, and health products.
- The Greater Bay Area’s focus on connectivity, market access, and innovation offers potential for Queensland firms in health, design, digital trade and infrastructure.
- China’s demand for high-quality healthcare and clinical trials continues to grow, creating a strategic opening for Queensland’s capability in these areas.
- Queensland can partner with China to support its continued need for traditional energy as well as investment and partnership in commercially-viable renewables.
- China’s focus on addressing youth unemployment and further development of higher education and vocational training creates opportunities for Queensland to expand partnerships in skills-based education and career-focused learning pathways.
- Favourable market access for Queensland exporters exists through trade agreements such as ChAFTA, RECP, and A-HKFTA.
- Queensland’s collaboration with the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), Austrade and DFAT strengthens bilateral trade and investment ties by providing a platform for Queensland businesses to engage with Chinese counterparts, access market insights, and participate in high-level policy and industry dialogues.
- The Australia-China bilateral relationship is complicated owing to the fact that each has different political systems as well as differences in views on a range of important issues.
- The application of trade restrictions and tariffs by the US on China will likely weaken gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the latter and may weaken demand for key Queensland exports, especially commodities.
- Economic headwinds including a struggling property sector, overall weak consumer sentiment, and youth unemployment will likely continue to limit GDP growth.
- A complex and sometimes rapidly changing regulatory landscape in and in relation to China can present risks and challenges for Queensland businesses.
Meet Rhett Miller 雷米乐先生
Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner – China
Rhett Miller commenced as Queensland’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Greater China in August 2023.
He is responsible for leading Trade and Investment Queensland’s team in Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Rhett has extensive experience in international market development having previously worked with Austrade as Trade and Investment Commissioner and Deputy Consul-General (Commercial) at the Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu and Trade Commissioner (Education) (North Asia) at the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai.
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