Forum to home in on China influence
TRADE with China will be a focus of James Cook University’s Asian Market Forum, to be held at the university’s Douglas campus Education Central lecture theatre on Friday.
Forum organiser Professor “Joe” Zhangyue Zhou said the performance of China’s economy, the dramatic increase in Chinese tourists to Australia and the implications of China’s “onebelt one- road” trade and infrastructure development strategy would be discussed.
There would also be sessions for participants on skills for trading with Asia.
Other topics of significance to the region’s business community include the strengthening ties with Singapore flowing from the Australia- Singapore government strategic agreement, which will see more defence investment and training in Townsville; the financing of infrastructure by the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility; and exporters providing lessons on their experiences in the Asian markets.
“China is Australia’s largest trading partner. How China’s economy is going affects Australia’s economic wellbeing enormously,” Prof Zhou said.
He said experts would review the performance of China’s economy and its future growth potential as well as discussing the importance of e- commerce, which was undergoing rapid expansion.
In tourism, experts would ask whether Australia was ready for an inbound rush of a 1.5 million Chinese visitors a year.
China is expected to take over from New Zealand shortly as Australia’s largest tourism market and North Queensland is expected to host a growing share of Chinese visitors.
Speakers include The Conference Board senior adviser Professor Harry Wu, Alibaba group Australian marketing director James Hudson, China Tourism Academy president Professor Bin Dai and Queensland manager of Bank of China Audrey Zheng.
Other speakers include Townsville port trade manager Claudia BrummeSmith, Manbulloo mangoes export manager Scott Ledger and ANZ agribusiness manager Russell Campbell.
Prof Zhou said the Chinese Government’s one- belt one- road initiative was having an impact around the globe.
“Understanding how this initiative may affect Australia’s global trade and investment is a must for the Australian business community,” Prof Zhou said. “Comprehensive insights on this initiative and its current developments will be addressed.”
>> For more information visit alumni. jcu. edu. au/ JCU AsianMktForum2018. For assistance, call or email Chris Payne on 4781 4239 or chris.payne@jcu.edu.au.