On 10 June, Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, spoke to 21st Century Business Herald in Beijing, advocating for deeper Australia–China cooperation across emerging industries, trade, education, and innovation. Laurenceson emphasized that for Australia, meaningful engagement with China is not just beneficial, it is essential.
On 9 June, Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, was interviewed by 21st Century Business Herald in Beijing. He emphasized China’s growing leadership in future-focused sectors like EVs, wind, and solar, urging Australia to deepen engagement with China to remain competitive in the global economy. Laurenceson called on Australian businesses to move beyond transactional trade and embed themselves in the Chinese market to fully leverage long-term opportunities.
On 9 June, Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China), and Tian Zhang, CEO of AustCham China, were interviewed by Go Global Navigation Network (Ministry of Commerce) in Beijing. In the interview, they highlighted China’s growing global role in future industries and reaffirmed AustCham’s commitment to supporting Australian businesses as they adapt to emerging opportunities in the Chinese market.
On 5 June, International Business Daily interviewed AustCham China Chair Vaughn Barber and CEO Tian Zhang following the release of the 2025 Doing Business in China Report, the chamber’s most comprehensive survey to date. With nearly 70% of firms ranking China as a top-three investment destination, the findings reflect growing confidence in China’s role as a hub for innovation, clean energy, and strategic industries. Barber and Zhang emphasized emerging opportunities in EVs, green hydrogen, and critical minerals, alongside a shift toward deeper local engagement and geographic expansion.
On 8 June, AustCham China’s 2025 Doing Business in China report was cited as evidence of continued optimism among Australian firms operating in China, despite intensifying geopolitical tensions and ongoing U.S.– China trade frictions. James Laurenceson pointed to China’s relative policy stability and strategic importance, while also advocating for a balanced approach to national security and economic ties. Additionally, AustCham CEO Tian Zhang emphasized that bilateral cooperation continues to hold vast potential.
On 11 June, AustCham’s Chair, Vaughn Barber, and CEO, Tian Zhang spoke with “Invest Shanghai” to explore AustCham China’s latest 2025 Doing Business in China survey. The report, its most comprehensive to date, collected insights from 858 companies deeply engaged in bilateral trade and investment. It revealed that nearly 70% of surveyed foreign firms still rank China among their top three global investment destinations for the next three years. In 2024, over 75% reported profitability in China, with 51% experiencing year-on-year revenue growth.
On 17 June, Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China), spoke with 21st Century Business Herald in Beijing, affirming that despite rising global trade tensions, particularly following new U.S. tariff hikes, Australia remains firmly committed to deepening economic ties with China.
On 17 June, Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, spoke with China News Service during the 2025 Australia–China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Melbourne, marking the 10th anniversary of the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
On 20 June, Vaughn Barber, Chair of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham China), spoke with SFC Markets and Finance about the 2025 Doing Business in China (DBIC) Report and the outlook for bilateral trade. Despite global economic uncertainty, Barber reaffirmed that Australian businesses are not retreating from China, they are doubling down.
On 10 June 2025, China Daily spotlighted the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Doing Business in China report, which reaffirmed China’s position as a pivotal market for Australian firms. Based on responses from 858 companies, the report revealed that nearly 70% of foreign firms rank China among their top three global investment destinations, with over 75% reporting profitability in 2024 and one-third planning geographic expansion. AustCham Chair Vaughn Barber and CEO Tian Zhang emphasized deepening commercial ties, especially in clean energy, agribusiness, and F&B, while urging greater clarity in regulatory frameworks to support two-way investment.
