Australia and China: Time for a shift in mindset

Asialink Business welcomes the Australia-China Joint Economic Report, a landmark study that brings together academics and industry leaders from both countries for the first time.

Australia’s capacity to maximise its position in the region - its power of proximity - is more important than ever. But are Australian businesses and the nation’s workforce ready to build trusted relationships with Chinese and global partners?

Do our organisations have the skills and insights to successfully realise the opportunities presented by China’s latest five year plan or its One Belt One Road initiative? Have we fully grasped how regional trading blocs will affect us, or the impact that China’s domestic developments will have on the way we do business with China?

All the available evidence shows while we are aware we need an Asia capable workforce, there are still significant gaps in our collective skillset. There are gaps in our market knowledge and our insights into Asian economies. We’re still trying to get our heads around the difficulties of making and keeping trusted relationships and partnerships. Finding and building relationships with local partners is our biggest challenge.

Just as importantly, our business sector has limited resources to engage with China and other Asian markets. There’s a lack of country-specific information and a poor understanding of the differences between Australian and Asian business cultures.

Asialink Business is just over a third of the way into its 10 year mandate towards building a China capable, indeed Asia capable, Australian workforce.

Our Country Starter Packs are a unique and invaluable resource for anyone looking for easy to digest information about Asian markets, and our training programs are helping Australian businesses develop skillsets in key industries.

But there’s more work to be done. Asialink Business has identified capabilities that individuals and organisations will need in order to engage with China and other Asian markets. We aim to mainstream these capabilities across all levels of Australia’s workforce.

We are ready to make this vision a reality. The next step is a shift in mindset.

Asialink Business welcomes the Australia-China Joint Economic Report, a landmark study that brings together academics and industry leaders from both countries for the first time. 

The report is a collaboration between The Australian National University and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE).

Read Asialink Business’ submission to the Australia-China Joint Economic Report here.

Read the Australia-China Joint Economic Report.

For more information visit Asialink Business.

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Jaime Berrill

+61 3 8344 1570

  • Business