On February 26, 2026, Australia-China Business Council (ACBC) Queensland Branch and China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (CCCA) Brisbane Branch jointly hosted their 2026 Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner in Brisbane. Speeches were delivered by prominent guests including Ruan Zongze, Consul General of China in Brisbane; Janet Young, Governor of Queensland; Bates, Queensland Minister for Treasurer, Trade, Employment and Training; Robb, former Australian Minister for Trade; Stephen Abbott, Chairman of the Australia-China Business Council Queensland Branch; and Gao Zhen, President of the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce Brisbane Branch. Over 350 guests, including officials from the Queensland Parliament, state government, and municipal government, as well as representatives from the Chinese and Queensland business communities, attended the event.
The banquet featured captivating cultural performances and interactive entertainment, showcasing the rich and diverse elements of Chinese culture and providing a feast for the eyes and ears. A lucky draw and interactive displays by sponsors were also included, allowing guests to enjoy fine dining while engaging in friendly exchanges and experiencing surprises.
In his remarks, Consul General Ruan Zongze stated that China and Australia are natural partners. At this important juncture—with Brisbane preparing for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and China launching its 15th Five-Year Plan—deepening cooperation between the two sides is timely. He pointed out that as China’s economy steadily advances towards high-quality development, this transformation will bring broader cooperation opportunities to Queensland and the entire Australian continent. He expressed his anticipation for the continued steady expansion of trade and investment relations between China and Queensland, and between China and Australia.
The speakers highly praised the continued growth in bilateral trade between China and Queensland in 2025, believing that this figure not only demonstrates the resilience of the economic and trade relationship between the two regions but also creates positive conditions for Queensland businesses to explore the Chinese market. Guests expressed their anticipation for further strengthening cooperation in the new year, jointly promoting deeper connections in trade, investment, and industry between China and Queensland, and between China and Australia, bringing more high-quality development opportunities to the region.
During the subsequent social networking session, representatives from the political, business, and community sectors actively exchanged views and shared cooperation experiences. Many business representatives stated that through this exchange platform, they not only felt the festive atmosphere but also expanded potential cooperation opportunities, laying a solid foundation for future business collaborations. This Spring Festival Gala was both a business event and a cultural exchange platform, fully demonstrating Queensland’s multiculturalism and vibrant open cooperation. The Australia-China Chamber of Commerce Brisbane Branch and the Australia-China Business Council Queensland Branch will continue to work together to build a more solid cooperative bond and propel China-Queensland economic cooperation to new heights.
