Premier Roger Cook heralds trade possibilities with opening of China trade office in Zhejiang Province

Roger Cook has hailed the “mutually rewarding” relationship between WA and the Zhejiang Province of China as he officially opened a new trade office there on Tuesday.

The Premier who is on a tour of China, said the new office would play a vital role in relations between the two countries.

Mr Cook spoke at a committee meeting between the two states and anticipated deeper relations between China and WA.

“The new Hangzhou Office, in the capital city of Zhejiang Province, reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in our strategic partnership with Zhejiang Province,” he said.

“Western Australia is proud to be the only Australian state to have a presence in Zhejiang Province, one of China’s most economically advanced provinces.”

The province is home to some of the largest companies in China including e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.

Mr Cook spoke highly of the sister-State partnership, which began in 1987.

“Western Australia is particularly proud of its longstanding sister-state relationship with Zhejiang Province, a partnership of more than 35 years,” he said.

“It is one which has grown significantly since its origins, based on the State’s well-established iron ore trade with China through Ningbo Port.

“This continues to the present day with Western Australia being one of the world’s largest exporters of iron ore, an industry largely built on the long-term relationship we enjoy with China.

“Across three and a half decades, this relationship has generated a variety of important cultural, education, sport, and trade and investment links.”

During his speech Mr Cook highlighted economic relations between the two sides including both iron ore exports and the nearly 1300 students from Zhejiang Normal University who graduated from ECU’s Master of Education articulation course over the past 20 years.

The WA trade mission will soon turn its attention to Japan for the World Expo in Osaka following its three days in Shanghai.