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"Voice of ChAFTA" Forum · 2025

Celebrating 10 Years of ChAFTA
Shaping the Next Decade

Marking its 10th anniversary, the “Voice of ChAFTA” Forum 2025 (The Forum) brought together more than 250 delegates — including government officials, business leaders, academics, and media — to reflect on past achievements and set strategic directions for the next decade.

Parliament House, Sydney | 22 May 2025

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Organizer

CHAFTA FORUM

中澳自由贸易协会论坛

Supported by

Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL) / Oz-Town (CIIE Committee)

澳洲制造/Oz-Town(CIIE委员会)

Australia China Business Council
(ACBC) (NSW)

澳大利亚中国工商业委员会

China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (CCCA), Council of Foreign Relations

澳大利亚中国总商会 （对外关系委员会）

Overview and Achievements（2015–2025）

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), signed in 2015 and enacted in December of the same year, has significantly shaped bilateral trade and economic relations. Marking its 10th anniversary, the “Voice of ChAFTA” Forum 2025 (The Forum) brought together more than 250 delegates — including government officials, business leaders, academics, and media — to reflect on past achievements and set strategic directions for the next decade. 

Organized by the Sydney-based non-profit CHAFTA Forum and supported by key partners such as the Australia China Business Council (ACBC NSW), Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL), and the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (CCCA) International Relations Committee.

China-Australia Business Integration
CHAFTA 2.0

"Voice of ChAFTA" Forum · 2025

The Forum will serve as a high-level, expert advisory platform bringing grassroots, commercial, and community insights into policymaking and public dialogue. It will hold annual sessions at Parliament House, either in Sydney or Canberra.

Key Accomplishments

Since 2015, Chinese imports of Australian food products increased from USD 4.65 billion to USD 8.46 billion by 2022 — an 82% rise, with an annual average growth of 7.8%, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Traditional exports such as iron ore, LNG, and coal remain strong. Top agricultural exports include beef, grains, wine, dairy, and seafood. Australian health supplements are also among the most favoured imports in China.

ChAFTA has facilitated mobility and educational cooperation, including joint research in areas such as traditional Chinese medicine.

Australia’s 1.3 million Chinese Australians played a crucial role in sustaining bilateral trade during periods of diplomatic tension.

However, challenges remain: investment flows have declined due to restrictive Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) processes; the services trade sector is still recovering post-pandemic; and regulatory and immigration bottlenecks persist.

Voice of ChAFTA 2025

Awards

The most meaningful award ceremony brought the forum to a climax. These awards were given to institutions, companies and individuals that have contributed or will contribute to bilateral trade and investment over the past 10 years. A total of 5 awards were given this time, they are:

Best Participation for CIIE

Homart Pharmaceuticals

Australian Natural Biotechnology Pty Ltd (ANB)

Dairy-Pac International
Pty Ltd

Best Contribution (Corporate)

Chemist Warehouse

Australia-China Economic Trade & International Expo (ACETIE)

Australia Asian Chamber of Commerce & ING (AACCI)

Best Potential Company

FPA Group

LK Auto

SPD Energy

Huamulan Award

Josephine Lam

Chair of Australia National Education

Wu Meng

The Managing Director

Lyn Lin

The founder & Chair of Phonix

Permanent Achievement

Andrew Robb

The Chairman of Robb Group

China-Australia Business

The Grand Integration of China-Australia Business Relations

2025 Australian Made Week

Play Video

Authorized CIIE 2025

Play Video

2025 Chain Expo

Play Video

China Commodity Fair Australia 2025

Play Video
Vision for the Next Decade

A Dynamic ChAFTA 2.0

Forum participants emphasized the need to evolve ChAFTA beyond traditional goods trade, shifting toward innovation-led, future-focused cooperation aligned with national priorities such as the “Future Made in Australia” initiative.

Green Economy & Energy Transition

Joint efforts in renewable energy, green mining, water conservation, and low-carbon technologies. The establishment of joint R&D canters , harmonization of standards, and skilled workforce training are seen as essential.

Advanced Technology & Digital Economy

Collaboration in AI, autonomous systems, energy storage, and renovated finance.

Services & Human Capital

Key areas include aged care, digital health, vocational training, Agri-tech, and services related to renewable energy.

Investment & High-End Manufacturing

Strengthening bilateral investment in value-added, advanced manufacturing and integrating Australian firms into regional supply chains anchored by Chinese capabilities.

Vision for the Next Decade

Role of the “Voice of ChAFTA” Forum

The Forum will serve as a high-level, expert advisory platform bringing grassroots, commercial, and community insights into policymaking and public dialogue. It will hold annual sessions at Parliament House, either in Sydney or Canberra.

The Forum Aims to

  • Help translate strategic visions into actionable policy across clean energy, services innovation, and bilateral investment.
  • Offer practical, consistent input to government bodies, the media, and industry organizations.
  • Support government efforts to build institutional trust and deepen Asia-Pacific economic integration.

Key Priorities

  • Economic Resilience: Promote value-added industries, secure supply chains, and boost green sector capabilities.
  • Strategic Investment:Advocate for streamlined, transparent investment approvals that also safeguard national interests.
  • Public-Private Engagement:Encourage inclusive consultation with businesses, multicultural communities, and civil society.
  • Regional Positioning:Reinforce Australia’s role as a reliable, ESG-compliant supplier of critical minerals, clean energy technologies, and related services.
  • Media & Diplomacy:Improve public communication and foster a constructive narrative through media and diplomatic channels.
  • Establish the “Voice of ChAFTA” Advisory Committee
Vision for the Next Decade

Engagement Strategy and Regional Linkages

To enhance ChAFTA’s effective implementation, the Forum will:
  • Collaborate directly with government agencies , policymakers, and industry bodies in both Australia and China.
  • Engage sector leaders aligned with ChAFTA 2.0 and the “Future Made in Australia” framework — including but not limited to AMCL and the Australian Smart Energy Council (ASEC).
  • Partner with research institutions, trade expos, and bilateral business councils.
  • Strengthen Australia’s role in multilateral trade platforms such as CPTPP and RCEP.
  • Benchmark against successful models, such as the China–New Zealand FTA, to maintain ChAFTA’s global competitiveness.
Vision for the Next Decade

Elevating ChAFTA 2.0 through Trust, Innovation & Cooperation

A decade on, ChAFTA remains a cornerstone of Australia–China trade relations. Yet, adapting to a rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic environment requires fresh ambition.

Australia must advance ChAFTA 2.0 with a forward-looking approach that protects its strategic interests while leveraging China’s industrial strengths. This includes:

  • Building trust through people-to-people ties and inclusive engagement.
  • Expanding collaboration in green energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital services.
  • Fostering resilience and innovation in Australia’s trade and investment frameworks through mutually beneficial partnerships.

As keynote speaker Andrew Robb aptly stated:

“The most impactful deals… are built on something far more profound: trust, forged over time and through genuine human connection.”
“Australia and China must work hand in hand — for shared, win-win outcomes.”

The “Voice of ChAFTA” Forum will continue to support government and industry in shaping forward-looking policies, facilitating real-world cooperation, and guiding stakeholders into the next era — one defined by shared prosperity, strategic focus, and enduring innovation. 

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