Strategic provincial partnerships

Key Chinese provinces and municipalities

Jiangsu Province

Since 1979, Victoria and Jiangsu Province have enjoyed an enduring sister-state relationship that is the oldest for both states, and which has delivered jobs, trade, and stronger cultural connections. Known for its robust industrial base, high-tech capabilities, and educational institutions, Jiangsu is a major economic hub in China that is home to major corporations and decision-makers, including in the tourism and business events sectors. Jiangsu and Victoria share strengths across education and cultural sectors, with both Melbourne and Jiangsu’s capital of Nanjing recognised as UNESCO Cities of Literature.

Sichuan Province

Sister-states with Victoria since 2016, Sichuan Province has a rapidly growing economy that serves as a gateway to western China. Sichuan has strengths in agriculture and technology, and is also the focus of China’s growing creative sector. Its capital, Chengdu, is home to over 7,000 gaming companies, including Perfect World, IGG, Qingci Games and Tencent. In 2022, the revenue of Chengdu’s gaming and associated industries reached A$12.5 billion, accounting for one-eighth of China’s total. Chengdu is also the heart of the Chinese animated film industry and was most recently known for the film Ne Zha 2, which became the highest grossing animated film of all time. Chengdu’s cultural and sporting offerings are globally recognised: the first Chinese city to host the World Games, the host of the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off, and it is one of UNESCO’s Cities of Gastronomy, alongside Bendigo.

Shanghai Municipality

Our action areas: Agribusiness; Creative industries and sport; Education; Visitor economy; Innovation and investment.

Shanghai is a global financial and innovation centre with strong international connections. It has long boasted the highest GDP of any Chinese city, the world’s largest container port to facilitate international trade, and hosts the regional headquarters of more than 1,000 multinational corporations. Shanghai continues to strengthen its advanced scientific, research, and technological capabilities, with a large talent pool and significant investments in R&D accelerating technological breakthroughs. Shanghai’s strengths also extend to the creative sector, as home to Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading international design convention.
It is also a UNESCO City of Design, alongside Geelong.

Beijing Municipality

Our action areas: Agribusiness; Education; Visitor economy; Innovation and investment.

In addition to being the heart of Chinese Government and home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Beijing has a strong focus on innovation, with significant research ties and an established science and technology ecosystem. More than 100 of the largest Chinese companies are based in Beijing, and it has the highest number of Fortune Global 500 companies of any city in the world. Beijing’s economy is supported by a strong professional services industry and fintech sector.

Guangdong Province

Guangdong is the largest province in China by GDP and population, as well as being a global manufacturing and innovation centre. Out of all Chinese provinces, it is the top exporter, second-largest importer, and one of the largest destinations for FDI. It is home to major economic hubs including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, three major ports, and hosts three of China’s six Special Economic Zones (Shantou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai) that were established to attract greater overseas investment. Guangdong has the highest number of high-tech firms and cultural and education institutions in China and is the country’s largest source of invention patents.

Zhejiang Province

Our action areas: Agribusiness; Health and life sciences; Creative industries and sport; Visitor economy; Innovation and investment.

Zhejiang is the second-largest exporter of Chinese provinces, home to one of China’s largest ports, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, and the world’s largest small commodities market, Yiwu Market. It is the fourth-largest province by GDP and boasts some of the highest levels of income in China per capita. Zhejiang has a booming creative, sport, and digital economy, including many of China’s high-tech firms such as Alibaba, NetEase, and Hengdian World Studios, and is a national leader in advanced manufacturing and invention patent registrations. It is the second largest importer from Australia and third largest exporter to Australia out of Chinese provinces.

Shandong Province

Our action areas: Agribusiness; Creative industries and sport; Education; Visitor economy; Innovation and investment.

As a major agricultural producer with growing manufacturing and innovation sectors, Shandong is one of China’s economic powerhouses. It is the third-largest province by GDP, second largest by population, and is the location of the major maritime trade hub of Qingdao and leading international businesses such as Tsingtao, Haier, and Hisense. Shandong is a major producer of crude steel and has China’s largest pharmaceutical industry. In the creative sector, Qingdao is often referred to as the ‘home of Chinese cinema’. Shandong also hosts the highest number of health supplement businesses in China, complementing Victorian strengths in the sector.

Chongqing Municipality

Our action areas: Agribusiness; Education.

Chongqing is a major economic centre in China’s western growth corridor and the most populated city in China, which is increasingly attracting FDI from major foreign companies. It has one of China’s largest inland ports along the Yangtze River, and enhancing Chongqing’s trade connectivity has become a national priority, with the municipality featuring in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor – an initiative to link western China and Southeast Asia through integrated rail and sea logistics networks. Chongqing has a strong tertiary education sector, with one of the highest number of universities per capita in China.