China’s departing rep highlights WA farming needs

Western Australia's outgoing Chinese consul general says the state’s farmers have told her they want financial support and access to markets.

Madame Wang Yiner moves on as China's Consul General in Perth this month after three years in the role.

Speaking at an Australia China Business Council dinner last night, Madame Wang highlighted the opportunities to develop areas such as agriculture, as investment in mining wanes – adopting the increasingly popular line “from mining boom to dining boom” as the parting line from her keynote address.

She said she had learned about farmers’ attitudes to foreign investment and their needs by touring rural WA.

Foreign investment in agriculture, including from China, is a controversial issue in Australia and was an election issue in some parts of the rural sector.

China’s rural investment is expected to reflect its experience as a major investor in mining, where it has learned that partnerships with Australian operations coupled with off-take agreements have produced better results than outright ownership.

Madam Wang was not the only person moving on last night.

Australia China Business Council WA president Duncan Calder is stepping down in favour in Minter Ellison partner Adam Handly. Mr Calder last night flagged his intention to seek the national ACBC presidency.

Mr Calder, partner in charge of forensic services at KPMG in WA, is currently senior national vice-president of the ACBC.