doing business in china
An overview guide for Australian businesses manufacturing or exporting to China.
why china?
1.4 billion population. Largest middle class.
Largest trading partner for Australia.
Unparalleled manufacturing efficiency.
A manufacturing powerhouse with the world's largest middle class, China offers attractive opportunities for Australian exporters and businesses looking to manufacture their products overseas.
Exporting to China
Despite challenges, China remains Australia's largest trading partner. Goods exports to China have increased 38% since 2020, accounting for 37% of Australia's overall exports in 2023.
Key sectors for Australian businesses:
Food and agribusiness
Healthcare and medical
Education
Tourism
Australia is well-positioned to meet China's growing demand for high-quality food products. China is Australia's largest agricultural export market, with exports valued at $16.9 billion in 2023-24, a 2% increase from the previous year.
Key food exports to China include beef, dairy products, and wine. Barley exports to China rebounded significantly. Other popular Australian products in the Chinese market include honey, baby food, and preserved fruits.
Beyond food, tourism is another significant export to China. In 2024, over 681,000 Chinese visitors traveled to Australia, a significant increase from 2023. Chinese tourists spent approximately $8.58 billion, making China the top source of tourism spending in Australia. These figures, however, are still below pre-pandemic levels, indicating potential for further growth as the tourism sector continues to rebound.
Tips for exporting to ChinA
Conduct thorough market research to understand demand and regulations
Build strong relationships with potential partners
Protect your intellectual property by registering trademarks in both English and Chinese
Adapt products to local preferences and standards
Leverage e-commerce platforms to reach Chinese consumers (JD.com, Taobao, WeChat)
Manufacturing in China
China remains a global manufacturing powerhouse. Manufacturing production increased 5.40 percent year-on-year in October 2024, despite challenges from weak domestic demand and near-shoring trends.
The sector is shifting towards higher-quality production, driven by advancements in technology, domestic consumption trends, and green manufacturing practices.
China's manufacturing efficiency is driven by:
Large, skilled workforce
Well-developed infrastructure
Economies of scale
Government support and incentives
Advanced R&D capabilities (China is spending more that any other country on R&D)
Sustainable manufacturing has become a key priority and focus for China, with the government implementing rigorous green manufacturing systems and environmental regulations. This is good news for Australian businesses who want greater confidence in the sustainability of their products.
Tips for MANUFACTURING in ChinA
Conduct thorough market research
Choose a reputable manufacturing partner
Implement strict quality control measures
Build strong relationships with suppliers
Understand local regulations to be compliant
Australians doing business in china
Interview with tom daniels
Tom shares his story of moving to China to start OneLink and how they’re helping Australian businesses source and custom manufacture products in China.
Need help doing business in China?
Journey Chinese is an Australian business helping bridge the gap between Australia and China.
Language Training & Coaching
We can teach your staff Mandarin and help them understand Chinese culture. We tailor our programs to your business and offer additional resources and benefits to your staff if they wish to further their Mandarin studies outside work.
Connections to Chinese Manufacturers
There’s no need to travel to China and figure it out on your own… We can provide the right connections to reliable Chinese manufacturers through our partnership with OneLink – a leading sourcing and custom manufacturing partner for China and Asia.
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