On 5 June, in an interview with International Business Daily, China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China) Chair Vaughn Barber and CEO Tian Zhang shared insights from the newly released 2025 Doing Business in China Report (DBIC), the chamber’s most extensive survey to date, covering 858 firms deeply engaged in China-Australia trade and investment.

The report reveals that nearly 70% of Australian businesses rank China as one of their top three global investment destinations over the next three years. In 2024, over 75% of foreign firms reported profitability, up from 58% in 2023, while 51% recorded revenue growth, reinforcing China’s continued appeal as a hub of scale, innovation, and industrial transformation.

Chair Vaughn Barber described these results as a “real reflection of long-term confidence,” citing strong complementarities between the two economies—especially in areas like LNG, agriculture, life sciences, and education. He noted that Australia’s strengths in critical and non-critical minerals match China’s growing industrial demand.

CEO Tian Zhang underscored that clean energy technologies, including solar, EVs, green hydrogen, and storage, now top the list of bilateral investment priorities. “This is a shift toward a more strategic, innovation-driven partnership,” he said, “grounded in mutual national interests and long-term value creation.”

The interview also highlighted geographic diversification strategies, with firms expanding beyond Beijing and Shanghai into Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Hainan, drawn by local innovation ecosystems and policy incentives. The “Australia brand” remains highly competitive in China thanks to its reputation for quality, safety, and sustainability.

Zhang emphasized that deeper engagement with local governments, private enterprises, and research institutions is becoming a key enabler of success in China’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

Read the full interview with International Business Daily [link] to learn how Australian firms are positioning themselves for growth in China’s green, high-tech future.