Dalian, China, 12 November 2026 — The Oceania Business Council (OBC) and Australian Shanghai Business Association each signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dalian Council for the Promotion of International Trade (China Chamber of International Commerce Dalian Chamber of Commerce) during a two-day business delegation visit to Dalian.
Under the two agreements, the organisations will maintain regular contact and work together on trade exhibitions, business delegations and introductions between companies. The agreements aim to expand trade and investment in both directions between Dalian and Australia.
Agreements lay the groundwork for closer trade and investment ties
Lin Liu, Party Secretary of the Dalian Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Rong Dai, its President, received the delegation. The delegation included OBC President the Hon Bruce Atkinson AM, OBC Board Vice Chair and Honorary Adviser to the Australian Shanghai Business Association Diana Lin, and Australian Shanghai Business Association President and OBC Honorary Adviser Simon Qian OAM. OBC Head of Property Diana Chen and OBC Liaison for Liaoning Province Yan Wang also attended. The Dalian council was also represented by Vice President Hongbo Yu, Le Kang and Jing Sun. President Dai signed both memoranda on behalf of the Dalian council.
Ms Liu outlined Dalian’s strengths in port operations, trade, industry, exhibitions, tourism, science and education. She highlighted the complementary strengths of Dalian and Australia in offshore engineering equipment, petrochemicals, clean energy, prefabricated housing and marine pharmaceuticals. She expressed hope that the visit would encourage companies from both markets to participate in each other’s trade fairs, explore investment opportunities and take part in future business matchmaking events.
President Atkinson outlined OBC’s work to advance trade, industry links and investment between Australia and the wider Oceania region and its partners in China and across the Asia-Pacific. He also discussed OBC’s agreements with trade promotion councils in several Chinese provinces and cities and the work underway to put those agreements into practice.
On his first visit to Dalian, OBC President Atkinson AM said he was impressed by the city’s openness and growth potential. He invited Dalian businesses to take part in Australian trade exhibitions and business forums in 2027, visit Australia and meet with prospective local partners. He added that OBC would promote Dalian’s investment environment and commercial opportunities to Australian businesses. Shanghai Business Association President Qian said the Australian Shanghai Business Association would organise a delegation of Australian businesses to attend the Dalian Import and Export Commodities Fair.
During the meeting, Ms Liu presented Atkinson AM with a “Dalian Knot” lapel pin. OBC Bruce Atkinson and Diana Lin presented the Dalian council with an Australian commemorative plate and a Box Hill Hawks footy scarf. Diana is a director of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club, which won the 2026 Victorian Football League (VFL) premiership.
Company visits explore opportunities in the Australian market
The signing was a highlight of the 11–12 November visit, which OBC and Australian Shanghai Business Association undertook at the invitation of Dalian Overseas Chinese Business Federation and Dalian Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
Simon led the delegation, with Hon Atkinson serving as First Deputy Delegation Leader and Diana as Deputy Delegation Leader. Wei Zhang, Director of Australian Shanghai Business Association’s Dalian Office, joined the meetings and site visits alongside association committee members, Australian business representatives and OBC’s Liaoning liaison Wang Yan.
The delegation visited Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Dalian International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group, Dalian Rich Group, Dalian Ruishi Home Decor, Liaoning Sanmark Co., Dalian Linfa Wood and Zhonghui Furniture Co. Discussions covered the companies’ operations and international expansion plans in shipbuilding and offshore engineering, international engineering projects, food processing and home furnishings. The delegation and company representatives explored how Dalian businesses could enter or expand in the Australian market and connect with Australian industry partners.
Follow-up on trade fairs and business introductions
OBC thanked DCPIT Ms Liu and President Dai, Dalian Overseas Chinese Business Federation Chair Yan Cui and department head Fengtao Wu for their support in arranging the visit. It also thanked Australian Shanghai Business Association’s Dalian Office for its preliminary research and business introductions. During the visit, Hon Bruce and Diana presented Chair Cui with Australian commemorative plates and Mr Cui, Wu and Zhang Box Hill Hawks premiership scarves.
OBC will continue working with the Dalian Council for the Promotion of International Trade to follow up on trade fair participation, reciprocal business visits and introductions in sectors identified during the visit. It will also work with Australian Shanghai Business Association’s Dalian Office to help interested companies progress their discussions.
By Wang Yan • OBC Liaoning Liaison
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