About the event:

On March 10, 2025, Mr. Duan Xin, President of the Western Australia Shandong Association, led a delegation to visit the Victoria Shandong Association. The two sides held a business cooperation exchange meeting at the headquarters of the Victoria Shandong Association, engaging in in-depth discussions on topics such as China-Australia trade opportunities, resource sharing among overseas Chinese, and collaboration between Shandong entrepreneurs.

President Chen Guangbao of the Victoria Shandong Association, along with several board members and member representatives, attended the event to celebrate shared hometown ties and explore future development.

Deepening Ties, Seeking Development Together

President Chen Guangbao warmly welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the strong support received from the Western Australia Shandong Association during the founding of the Victoria association. He noted that Melbourne, as a hub of education, technology, and multiculturalism in Australia, offers unique advantages.

The Victoria Shandong Association and Chamber of Commerce aim to leverage these strengths to promote internal cooperation among members and enhance cultural and economic exchanges with China—especially with Shandong Province. At the same time, the association places great importance on collaboration with Australia’s other five states and two territories.

“Whether in student services, general trade, or cross-border e-commerce, Shandong entrepreneurs in Victoria are actively exploring new paths,” said Chen. “We look forward to working with our fellow Shandong compatriots in Western Australia to build interstate bridges of cooperation and inject the power of the overseas Chinese community into the high-quality development of both Shandong and Chinese-Australian businesses.”

Practical Dialogue, Strategic Cooperation

During the meeting, President Duan Xin introduced the recent activities of the Western Australia Shandong Association, emphasizing Western Australia’s strategic position in Australia’s economy—particularly in mining, energy, and agriculture. He expressed the hope that the association could serve as a platform to promote the implementation of practical projects and help businesses from Shandong connect with both Victoria and Western Australia.

Attendees unanimously agreed that the post-pandemic warming of China-Australia relations has created a new window of opportunity for economic collaboration. They proposed joint online investment promotion events, in-person site visits, and the establishment of a regular information-sharing mechanism to help Shandong enterprises efficiently match with local resources and opportunities.

Looking Ahead, Moving Forward Together

“Hometown ties are our bond, cooperation is our path, and development is our shared goal,” summarized President Chen Guangbao. “Whether it’s Western Australia’s vast resources or Victoria’s innovative energy, both are valuable partners in Shandong’s path toward global engagement. We are willing to serve as a two-way bridge—helping our hometown integrate into global industry chains while expanding growth opportunities for overseas Chinese here in Australia.”

This visit marked the first joint economic exchange between the Shandong associations of Western and Victoria, signifying a major step in integrating overseas community resources and injecting new momentum into regional cooperation across Australia.