The Australia-China minerals trade relationship was a key area of focus with the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) joining Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing.
ACBC National President David Olsson who was in attendance at the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and China Development Bank’s Australia-China CEO Roundtable on 15 July said the meeting builds long-term trust by drawing on both countries’ commercial experience.
“The next phase of the relationship will depend not just on high-level diplomacy, but on the quality of the economic architecture we build – through business partnerships, investment frameworks and platforms like this Roundtable that allow for frank, practical exchange,” Olsson says.
“This is a moment for business to lead. And ACBC’s job is to make sure that leadership is informed, strategic and connected to Australia’s long-term interests.”
In conjunction with his China tour, the PM also brought several resources CEOs to a green steel roundtable in Shanghai earlier this week, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Companies represented includes BHP (ASX:BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), and Fortescue (ASX:FMG).
Meanwhile, the ACBC WA is preparing for its upcoming Honorary Awards 2025 Program, calling upon nominations for its three awards.
The program was established in 2016 to recognise those servicing Western Australia and China’s ties through trade and investment.
Former Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan is one recipient of the Outstanding and Sustained Service to the Western Australia-China Relationship Award, with ACBC WA President James Clarke telling Mining.com.au that his role was instrumental in maintaining and strengthening ties between the trading partners.
“His recognition by the ACBC WA Awards showcased how political leadership grounded in pragmatism and economic diplomacy can drive stability and prosperity in bilateral relations,” Clarke tells this news service.
The other categories include the Outstanding and Sustained Service to ACBC WA Award and the WA-China Entrepreneur Award.
“Together, these three categories reflect the ACBC’s recognition that Australia–China engagement is not one-dimensional. It is political, social, economic, and deeply personal,” Clarke adds.
“The ACBC WA Honorary Awards Program is not merely symbolic—it is an active contributor to stronger Australia–China ties. By recognising leadership in trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and cultural diplomacy, it reinforces the foundations of cooperation, builds community trust, and paves the way for deeper, more resilient bilateral engagement.”
As Australia’s strongest trading relationship valued at almost $312 billion in 2024 according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, China covers roughly a third of the country’s exports.
The relationship relies on agriculture, resources and services trading as its largest export market.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Australia China Business Council
