On the morning of December 2^nd, vice mayor Fang Guoqiang met with the delegation headed by Craig Anthony Emerson, a former Australian politician who represented the House of Representatives seat of Rankin in Queensland for the Australian Labor Party from 1998 until 2013. Emerson was theMinister for Trade and Competitiveness, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Asian Century Policy in the Second Gillard Ministry until his resignation from the ministry on 26 June 2013.

Fang introduced Changzhou’s economic and social development, and expressed the will of further strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various fields to expand investment and exports in Australia.

Emerson is the main promoter of the establishment of China-Australia FTA. In May this year, Changzhou Chunhui Dairy Co., Ltd. established a private company in Australia, the Australia and China Dairy Capital Group (ACDC). Emerson is positioned as the chairman of the Board of Directors of ACDC. During his stay in Changzhou, Emerson and his delegation will inspect three Chunhui dairy bases, and visit the relevant city leaders to discuss the implementation of strategies to promote Changzhou enterprises� exploration in Australian market.

Up to now, a total of 192 Australian companies have set up branches or offices in Changzhou, while 13 Changzhou enterprises have invested in Australia.