Li Yumin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman, and General Manager of the Provincial Foreign Trade Assets Corporation, warmly welcomed Xiao Dong, President of the Australia-Asia Business Council, and his delegation. During the meeting, he briefly introduced the overall development of the company’s import and export trade sector and the progress of cross-border e-commerce operations. Li expressed that the company was deeply studying and implementing the important speeches delivered by President Xi Jinping during the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, as well as the directives from the provincial party committee and government. The company was actively participating in the “Belt and Road” initiative, promoting high-level opening-up, deepening its “second startup,” fostering and developing new productive forces, and striving to become a leading enterprise in foreign trade and economic cooperation.
The Australia-Asia Business Council, as a non-profit organization promoting cooperation in business, trade, investment, and other fields between South Australia and Asia, serves as an important platform for practical economic and trade cooperation between China and South Australia. Notably, during the 2023 Langfang International Economic and Trade Fair, the Council signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hebei Free Trade Zone Yangyu Business Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Provincial Foreign Trade Assets Corporation. Together, they organized an exhibition of “Australian Origin” products, which attracted much attention from leaders and business delegations, becoming a highlight of the fair. Imported Australian milk powder is now available on the “Yangyu International” cross-border e-commerce platform. Li hoped that both sides could further leverage their respective advantages, expand cooperation in areas such as cross-border e-commerce and trade logistics, and promote robust trade in bilateral competitive products based on their previous friendly cooperation.
Xiao Dong expressed his gratitude for the long-term attention and support from the Provincial Foreign Trade Assets Corporation. He introduced the mission, vision, and service objectives of the Australia-Asia Business Council, emphasizing the role of its Australian origin trade ecosystem in assisting local businesses to explore the Chinese market. Xiao mentioned that the Council is one of the oldest and most active chambers of commerce in South Australia, committed to promoting practical economic and trade cooperation between China and South Australia since its establishment. Hebei province enjoys unique location advantages, and major national strategies such as coordinated development in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, as well as the planning and construction of the Xiong’an New Area, have brought unprecedented historical opportunities for the province’s development. As the only provincial-level foreign trade enterprise in Hebei, the Provincial Foreign Trade Assets Corporation has achieved remarkable results in new models and formats of foreign trade, including cross-border e-commerce, comprehensive foreign trade services, and bonded logistics services. Xiao looked forward to strengthening business exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, continuously consolidating and expanding cooperation areas, reducing costs in intermediate circulation links, and jointly contributing to promoting high-level opening-up.
Also present at the meeting were Kevin Webb, Director of NEXACON, Yang Chunxiang, the representative of the Australia-Asia Business Council in North China, Yang Jianzhuo, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Chief Accountant of the Provincial Foreign Trade Assets Corporation, as well as heads of relevant companies and departments from the headquarters.