WA Premier, Roger Cook and Mines and Petroleum Minister, David Michael will depart for China and Japan today for high-level meetings with businesspeople and government officials as part of the State Government’s efforts to diversify Western Australia’s economy.
Premier Cook says the mission – which builds on his visit to Japan in July – will help further the Government’s priorities, including its ambition of making WA a renewable energy powerhouse.
“My vision is for WA to be at the forefront of the clean energy transition – which will support economic diversification and cement our role in a low-carbon global economy,” he said.
“As our number one trading partner, the importance of WA’s relationship with China cannot be overstated.
“China made up more than 50% of the State’s good exports in the year to June, supporting thousands of local jobs for Western Australians.
“This mission is a great opportunity to highlight the trade ties we share with China and Japan and promote WA as a great place to invest and do business.
“It will become even more important as both Australia, and our near neighbours undertake our energy transitions.”
The trip will include a visit to Shanghai, where the Premier will also open the 7th Western Australia-China Strategic Dialogue.
Premier Cook will also co-open the Western Australia-Zhejiang 10th Exchange Committee Meeting while in China to affirm WA’s commitment to its 38-year-old sister-state relationship with Zhejiang.
Following that visit, the Premier will then go to Japan, which is WA’s largest liquefied natural gas customer, with WA shipping LNG to Japan to meet the country’s energy needs since 1989.
There, he will lead an industry delegation of WA business representatives and attend several engagements and WA event activations as part of World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
World Expo 2025 serves as an opportunity for the WA State Government to deepen its strategic partnerships, showcase the State’s capabilities in supporting the global energy transition, and attracting investment to WA.
He will then attend engagements in Hyogo Prefecture, which is partner to WA’s oldest sister-state relationship – established in 1981.
“Western Australia has a long track record of being a reliable supplier to Japan, especially in energy,” said Mines and Petroleum Minister, David Michael.
“With Japan furthering its decarbonisation goals, now is a fantastic time to promote what else our State can offer, including our globally significant critical minerals sector.
“Our trade with China has helped fuel their enormous economic transformation and it is clear WA remains the engine room of the Australia-China economic relationship.”
