WA Premier Roger Cook to push for the reinstatement of direct flights from Perth to Shanghai on China visit

Roger Cook will push for the reinstatement of the direct flight from Perth to Shanghai during a four-day visit to China. Perth Airport’s acting CEO Kate Holsgrove will join the Premier on the trip, beginning on November 20, which will include the WA Government’s first high-level meeting with China Eastern Airlines since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. China Eastern launched a five-week trial direct service between Perth and Shanghai in early 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. Since then, WA has secured direct flights from Perth to Rome, Paris and Tokyo. “We know that direct flights are absolutely critical for our economy,” Mr Cook said. “Our government has been laser-focused on securing direct flights post-pandemic — and that effort is paying off. “Direct flights to Shanghai and Chengdu could attract tens of thousands of extra tourists each year — supporting local jobs in WA and pumping millions into our economy. “Importantly, they would also bring in international students, encourage business-to-business opportunities and support further exports of our quality agricultural produce.” China remains WA’s largest trading partner with more than $158 billion of goods traded in 2022-23 – led by exports of iron ore, lithium and LNG. The Premier will meet with Tianqi Lithium to promote continued growth in the lithium trade between China and WA, as well as with steel giants Baosteel Resources and CITIC. WA accounted for 52 per cent of Australia’s total trade with China in the last financial year. CCIWA chief economist Aaron Morey said that although the growth of the Chinese economy was slowing, it still remained a vital part of WA’s economic fortunes. “China is Western Australia’s most important trading partner, and it goes well beyond the mining and resources sector,” he said. “They are a significant source of demand for our agricultural produce but also in sectors like tourism and international education. “No doubt, the Chinese economy is not growing at the same rate that it has historically. “China was recording growth rates of around 7 per cent. Now, we are looking at growth rates of around 4-5 per cent.” Mr Morey said even a weaker Chinese economy was big business for WA. “China is a 19 trillion-dollar economy. So, a 4 per cent growth rate is still a significant quantum of growth,” he said. “It will continue to be an important trading partner of WA going forward.” Mr Cook said the China visit was “an important opportunity to continue to build our trading ties with China”. In 2019 before COVID-19 hit, WA had 73,000 Chinese visitors who spent $367 million. “Maintaining a strong trading relationship with China underpins tens of thousands of jobs in WA and supports our long-term economic prosperity,” Mr Cook said. “WA jobs will always be our number one priority, and by shoring up our relationship with China, we’re supporting jobs here in WA.” Last weekend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese China where he tried to convince Beijing to relax trade sanctions on a range of Australian goods. “I welcome the Prime Minister’s successful mission to China. Easing restrictions on barley and wine is a huge boon for our farmers and growers, and I look forward to continuing efforts to reopen our lobster trade,” Mr Cook said.