Australia and China have a long history of friendship, business ties and people-to-people links. China is Australia's largest trading partner, and is a growing source of tourists, students and investment. Shanghai World Expo 2010 presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and develop new areas of cooperation.

Existing ties between Australia and China are already very strong and the potential for our bilateral relationship is great.

People-to-people links play a vital role in the Australia-China relationship . With around 3.5 per cent of Australia's population having Chinese ancestry, many Australians also have deep personal ties and associations with China. With more than 140,000 enrolments in 2009, Chinese students make up almost one quarter of all Australia's international student enrolments, and Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Chinese students wishing to study overseas. Australia and China have more than 75 sister city/sister state relationships, which help encourage tourism and business, and foster cultural ties between the countries.