Australia-China trade expo opens in Melbourne, boosting bilateral economic ties

MELBOURNE, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 300 organizations and companies from Australia and China gathered in Melbourne on Thursday for the opening of the 2026 Australia-China Economic, Trade and Investment Expo (ACETIE) and the China Commodity Fair Australia, with artificial intelligence, green energy and consumer products among the key areas in focus.

Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner, addressing the opening ceremony, recalled her visit to China and highlighted the country's long history and experience in solving practical problems, as well as its continued capacity for innovation.

She said China's ability to innovate continues to flourish and grow, and noted the significance of the rapid growth in bilateral trade over a relatively short period.

Gao Feng, minister-counsellor for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Australia, said the future of China-Australia economic and trade cooperation could be best summarized in three words: openness, integration and mutual benefit.

He said the two countries should continue to expand cooperation into new areas, develop new drivers for growth and turn their respective strengths into development opportunities for each other.

Andrew Robb, chair of the ACETIE Organizing Committee and former Australian minister for trade and investment, said recent visits to China had allowed him to witness rapid progress in innovation across a wide range of areas.

Robb said greater efforts should be made to bring Chinese high technologies to Australia and apply them in sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, education and tourism.

The expo, jointly organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia and the Australia China Business Council, is one of the most influential platforms promoting economic and trade ties between the two countries. This year's event runs from Thursday to Saturday alongside the China Commodity Fair Australia at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center.