The event, on the evening of 7 June, was co-hosted by ACBC WA and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Perth Branch at the Sinosteel Corporation headquarters in Beijing.

Premier McGowan met with MinterEllison's Adam Handley (China Lead Partner), Lili Pan (Executive Director China Team) and Bi Chen (Beijing Chief Representative), and senior officials from leading current and prospective Chinese investors in Western Australia to discuss opportunities and areas for focus to encourage further trade and investment ties between WA and China.

“As the traditional home of Chinese investment in Australia I was delighted to meet with senior Chinese business leaders to discuss how we can work together to further our already strong trade and investment relationship," Mr McGowan said. "It was great to see the investors represented at the dialogue seeing significant ongoing opportunities to further trade and investment ties between China and Western Australia."

"I am grateful to ACBC, CCCA, Sinosteel and MinterEllison for their support for this important dialogue."

Adam Handley, as President of ACBC WA, welcomed the Premier and representatives of leading Chinese companies, including Sinosteel, Minmetals, Ansteel, China State Construction, China Development Bank, 3 Oceans Group, ChongQing Iron & Steel, MCC, China Construction Bank, Hanking Group, Bank of China and others to hold a dialogue with the Premier.

“This is an important time in the China and Australia relationship," said Mr Handley. "It is very encouraging to see open and fruitful dialogue occurring between the Western Australian Government and Chinese investors looking at, or already investing, in Western Australia.

"I commend the Western Australian Government and Chinese parties for coming together to continue to build strong relations, and to have an open and frank sharing of ideas about opportunities for enhanced mutual cooperation.”

MinterEllison has 40 partners and 100 lawyers focussed on the China market, who from offices in Australia and across Greater China (Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai), advise Australian and Chinese clients on high profile and complex transactions between the two countries.

MinterEllison was delighted to have won the Professional & Business Services firm category at the Westpac sponsored Australia China Business Awards in Shanghai two weeks ago. This was the second year in a row that MinterEllison won the award.

Mr Handley also noted, “It is very important for Australia that we actively engage with our largest trading partner in order to further opportunities for mutually beneficial economic ties. Increased people to people and company to company engagement through events like this play an important role in fostering greater trust and mutual respect.”