China Australia Photo: CFP

Perth has solidified its economic ties with China, and the cooperation will get stronger in the future, Basil Zempilas, Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview, ahead of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Australia, starting on Saturday.

China and Australia have witnessed a period of stable and also improved relations, based on the foundation of high-level meetings between the leaders of the two countries.

Against the backdrop of Li's visit to Australia, the first visit by a Chinese premier in seven years, there is a wide anticipation for a further improvement in bilateral ties, including the relations between governments at the local levels.

Zempilas shared his perspective on how he sees the stronger bonds between Perth and China, ranging from economic and trade ties to people-to-people exchanges.

Western Australia has maintained a strong trade relationship with China, and Perth in turn has a long-standing relationship with the local Chinese community, Zempilas said.

Chinese-born residents are the second largest overseas-born population in the city, with Putonghua being the second most commonly spoken language in the state after English, according to Zempilas. Now, there are more than 5,300 international students from China studying in Western Australia, he said, another reflection of strong people-to-people ties.

Tourism has been a major driver of Perth's economy. Earlier June, Western Australia's "Walking on a Dream" tourism campaign was launched in China as part of its global rollout. It featured on social media platform, Douyin, in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shenzhen and features key Perth experiences including Perth City, Kings Park and Rottnest Island, according to the mayor.

Zempilas said that trade has played a significant role [for bilateral ties], and in June, a second trade office was set up in China. The new office is located in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province.

Direct flights operated by China Southern Airlines between Guangzhou and Perth will commence in November, according to Zempilas.

Basil Zempilas, Lord Mayor of the City of Perth Photo: Courtesy of Basil Zempilas

Perth has a close Sister City relationship with two Chinese cities, with Nanjing, the capital city of East China's Jiangsu Province starting 1998, and with Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, starting 12 years ago.

"There have been a number of programs over the years, including an education-based exchange program, and a civil servant exchange program," Zempilas said.

Looking ahead, the mayor said that he expects the collaborative relations with China will grow stronger. There are a number of recent initiatives that he believes highlighting the deepening relationship between Perth and China.

On October 19, 2023, Perth hosted a delegation from the Sichuan Provincial Chamber of Commerce. The economic development unit provided a presentation for the delegates focusing on investment opportunities in Perth and the city's Sister City relationship with Chengdu.

And, on May 30, Perth hosted a senior Shenzhen business delegation, led by Simon Wu, President of the Australia China Friendship Society of Western Australia. The delegation met with the Perth mayor and CEO for a courtesy call to explore business to business engagement opportunities and shared interests between the two cities.

The mayor also gave credit to Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair (GIEF) in Chengdu in boosting bilateral ties. Since its inception in 2014, the GIEF has been an annual gathering of government officials, academics, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore the application of technology and innovation in various sectors. 

Notably, Perth's participation in past GIEF events has resulted in significant economic outcomes, Zempilas said.