Albanese to Promote $9.2 Billion Tourism Ties During Six-Day Visit to China

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will spotlight Australia’s $9.2 billion tourism relationship with China during a six-day official visit to Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu. The trip is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two nations, as China remains Australia’s largest trading partner.
Albanese is expected to highlight the significance of tourism and its role in the broader $312 billion two-way trade between Australia and China. Chinese visitors accounted for 860,000 trips to Australia in the year to March 2025, contributing around a quarter of total international visitor spending.
The Prime Minister’s agenda includes a visit to the headquarters of Trip.com, the world’s largest online travel company and parent firm of popular platforms like Skyscanner and MakeMyTrip. His stop at the company underscores Australia’s interest in promoting inbound travel from China through major digital platforms.
In a touch of soft diplomacy, Albanese will also engage in a football-themed event with the Shanghai Port Football Club, managed by former Australian soccer star Kevin Muscat. The appearance is part of a broader strategy to use cultural and sporting ties to strengthen bilateral relations.