Australia China Week to take place in Xiamen

Australian politicians and senior business leaders are gearing up for Australia Week in China (AWIC), which begins in China's Guangzhou on Monday.

AWIC will be Australia's largest ever trade mission, with more than 1,000 Australian business leaders taking part in the event, according to Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will make his first official visit to China during the event, where he will meet with Chinese leaders.

Talks will focus on the Australia-China relationship as well as regional and global issues.

Australia's trade with China was valued at 150 billion Australian dollars (113.1 billion U.S. dollars) in 2015.

MinterEllison China Markets Leader and Managing Partner Adam Handley told Xinhua on Friday events like AWIC are critically important to help Australian businesses more rapidly understand and capitalise on the ever-increasing opportunities for Australia to increase trade and investment ties with China.

"In a rapidly developing and changing market, there is no substitute for being 'on the ground'in country (China) and meeting with key business and government officials (on both the Australia and China side)," Handley said.

"For delegates from Australia that don't have offices in China it is also an important opportunity to meet potential counterparts face to face and to further their development and understanding of each other's cultures and business norms.

"Through greater, day to day, people to people exchanges like this we improve and strengthen communication, trust and therefore business outcomes."

Eight sector-specific programs will be featured during the week which include agribusiness, financial services, health and aged care, innovation, education, urban sustainability and water management, premium food and beverage and tourism.

The event takes place from April 11 to 15 across 10 cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Shenyang and Hangzhou and Shanghai.