The Australia China Business Council Western Australia (ACBC WA) has awarded Andrew Forrest the ACBC WA Honorary Awards Program for 2026 for his involvement in strengthening the Western Australia-China relationship.
Forrest was presented with the award at the 2026 Chinese New Year Gala with the Terracotta Warriors at WA Museum Boola Bardip on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
He is a business and community leader who is focused on building a strong trade, investment, and industrial cooperation relationship between Western Australia and China.
Forrest engages with Chinese partners for future-focused collaboration, as well as supporting leadership initiatives to deepen ties for the two trade powerhouses.
ACBC WA President James Clarke says the organisation is pleased to congratulate Forrest as the recipient of this award.
“This award recognises his outstanding and sustained individual contribution to the relationship between Western Australia and China, and we are delighted to acknowledge his efforts on this prestigious occasion,” Clarke says.
Forrest says this award isn’t a recognition of his own efforts, but many people across the business.
“I accept this award on behalf of the more than 22,000 people at Fortescue (ASX:FMG), and the thousands of people who work at Minderoo Foundation and Tattarang,” Forrest says.
“China has been central to Fortescue’s story and success, and I am deeply grateful for the trust, partnership and friendship that has been built over many years. I am delighted to call China a friend.
“In this Year of the Horse, I am reminded of the determination, the free spirit and the galloping vision that a horse represents – moving forward with confidence, freedom and purpose.
“That spirit reflects the Australia-China relationship. It reflects Fortescue, and it reflects the great state of Western Australia, in which I live.”
As reported by Mining.com.au, China began a recovery to dealmaking activity in 2025 with a 22% increase in deal volumes, according to PwC’s 2026 Outlook for Global M&A Industry Trends.
Though China appears to be making a comeback in the dealmaking scene, the 2025 statistics are still well below the country’s peak in 2021.
Spanning from 17 February through until 3 March 2026, the Chinese New Year is transitioning from the Year of the Snake into the Year of the Fire Horse.
New beginnings is a term often popping up in relation to the Year of the Fire Horse, bringing many rapid changes, fresh opportunities, and overall, a fresh start, as reported in Mining.com.au’s Chinese New Year series.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: ACBC WA
