May 2026: Official Visit to China

From 8–16 May 2026, the Governor undertook an Official Visit to China, travelling to Hong Kong, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu.

The visit included diplomatic and ceremonial engagements, alongside discussions focused on education, cultural exchange, infrastructure development and transport.

Key themes

Diplomatic and ceremonial engagements

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen Victoria’s long-standing sister-state relationship with Jiangsu Province, as well as celebrate the 10th anniversary of Victoria’s sister-state partnership with Sichuan Province.

Established in 1979, Jiangsu is Victoria’s oldest sister-state relationship. A major economic hub in China, Jiangsu is recognised for its industrial capability, high-tech industries and leading educational institutions. Victoria and Jiangsu also share strong connections across education and culture, with both Melbourne and Nanjing recognised as UNESCO Cities of Literature.

In Nanjing, the Governor was hosted by the Chairwoman of the Jiangsu Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Madame Zhang Yizhen. The meeting and official dinner provided an opportunity to reconnect following the Chairwoman’s visit to Government House in 2025.

The Governor also met with His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaotao, Governor of Jiangsu Province. Governor Liu hosted an official dinner in honour of the visit, where both Governors acknowledged 47 years of sister-state ties between Victoria and Jiangsu.

These engagements reinforced the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people connections between Victoria and Jiangsu, while exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

The visit also marked 10 years of Victoria’s sister-state relationship with Sichuan Province.

In Chengdu, the Governor met with His Excellency Mr Wang Xiaohui, Party Secretary of Sichuan Province, before attending an official dinner hosted in recognition of the anniversary.

Sichuan is a significant gateway to western China and continues to experience rapid economic growth. Victoria’s partnership with Sichuan has been strengthened through direct flights between Melbourne and Chengdu, with recent collaboration focused on trade, education, health and life sciences, as well as the creative, cultural and sporting sectors.

At a reception celebrating the anniversary, the Governor delivered remarks highlighting the achievements of the partnership over the past decade. The event concluded with the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding between institutions from both jurisdictions, reinforcing ongoing collaboration.

Throughout the visit, the Governor also met with senior government representatives including The Honourable Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong; Mr Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong; Mr Wang Wei, Mayor of Suzhou; and Mr Lu Shan, Vice Mayor of Shanghai.

Education

In Nanjing, the Governor visited the Melbourne-Nanjing Sports Rehabilitation Centre, which showcases collaboration between Victorian and Jiangsu institutions across healthcare, sports and education. Discussions also explored opportunities to expand the Melbourne-based International Rehabilitation Institute (IRI) into China.

In Suzhou, the Governor visited the Monash Research Institute and witnessed the signing of a second five-year agreement between Monash University and Suzhou Industrial Park. Established in 2013 through a partnership between Monash University and Southeast University (SEU), the Monash Suzhou Precinct continues to support collaboration in education, research and innovation.

In Chengdu, the Governor officially opened IDP Education’s International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Centre. IELTS assesses English-language proficiency for migration, study and employment purposes and is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations across more than 150 countries. China remains one of the largest global markets for IELTS testing, with around one million tests conducted annually.

Business, infrastructure and people-to-people connections

One of the Governor’s first engagements was a working breakfast hosted by the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, attended by business leaders, family offices and representatives from cultural organisations. In remarks to guests, the Governor highlighted the enduring relationship between Victoria and Hong Kong and reaffirmed Victoria’s ongoing in-market presence.

In Shanghai, the Governor visited Florentia Village, a network of luxury fashion outlets that attracts approximately 20 million visitors annually. The Governor toured the precinct and met with executives to learn more about the Shanghai operation.

The Governor also visited Vic House, Victoria’s premium trade showroom, where she was hosted by the Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office before attending a ‘Friends of Victoria’ event with business stakeholders, alumni and members of the Victorian and Australian community in Shanghai.

In Jiangsu, the Governor toured Kangni Mechanical and Electrical Co. to learn more about the company’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and its work in rail transit products, including interior fittings and panels.

In Suzhou, the Governor visited Basecare, a medical company founded by a University of Melbourne alumnus and located within BioBAY, one of China’s leading biomedical innovation parks. Basecare specialises in reproductive genetic testing and reflects the strong collaboration between Victoria and China in health and life sciences.

Cultural exchange

The visit also strengthened cultural ties between Victoria and China.

In Chengdu, the Governor attended a performance by Victorian composer and jazz musician Paul Grabowsky AO and Chinese Australian composer Mindy Meng Wang. Presented in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and the Australian Consulate General in Chengdu, the concert highlighted cultural collaboration and showcased Victoria’s contemporary jazz scene.

The Governor also visited the historic Nanjing City Wall, hosted by representatives of the Jiangsu Provincial Government. Built during the early Ming Dynasty, it remains one of the oldest surviving city walls in the world.

On the final day of the visit, the Governor visited the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.