Chinese entrepreneur delegation to visit Singapore and Australia

China Entrepreneur Club, a non-profit organization and the premier business leader platform in China, has announced an eight-day visit to Singapore and Australia from Dec 8.

Ma Weihua, executive chairman of club and former president of China Merchants Bank will lead the eight-day visit to Singapore and Australia. Chen Yingqun/China Daily

Ma Weihua, executive chairman of club and former president of China Merchants Bank, will lead the delegation of more than 20 Chinese entrepreneurs, including Zhu Xinli, Charles Chao, Feng Lun, Yang Shaopeng, Frank Wu and Wang Wenjing.

The delegation will visit Singapore, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, where they will meet the Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, and will call on the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. They will pay a visit to the Singapore Business Federation, the Business Council of Australia, Australia China Business Council, Tourism Australia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Centre on China in the World, as well as enterprises of the two countries, including Temasek Holdings, Telstra, GrainCorp, Macquarie Group, Treasury Wine Estates, Goodman Group and Royal District Nursing Service.

"The delegation comprises representative, outstanding entrepreneurs from major Chinese industries, including agriculture, the Internet, software, real estate, shipping, culture and investment," Ma said. " The main aim is to promote understanding and communication between Chinese private businesses and political, business and academic circles of both countries, while discovering potential investment and collaborative opportunities."

"Capping off this 'year of opportunity' between Australia and China, Australia is delighted to welcome the CEC delegation to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne in December," said Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to China. "CEC members represent the best of China’s innovative private sector, and we see these companies as being an essential part of our bilateral trade and investment relationship. The recent conclusion of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations, successful hosting of the APEC and G20 summits, and exchange of high-level visits between our national leaders, including a historic state visit by President Xi Jinping, makes this the perfect time for CEC members to explore business opportunities in Australia."

Stanley Loh, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to China, said: "Singapore warmly welcomes the upcoming visit. I am confident it will contribute to the further deepening of the strong economic cooperation between Singapore and China. As Chinese companies grow and expand their operations overseas, Singapore looks forward to playing an even greater supporting and constructive role."

Since 2011, CEC delegations have visited the US, Britain, France and Belgium, reaching out to influential political, business and academic institutions. The visits have become some of the most prominent public diplomatic activities in China's business circles.

This visit will take place during the period of accelerated internationalization of Chinese businesses.

The CEC was founded by 31 of China's most influential entrepreneurs, economists and diplomats in 2006, as a center for Chinese entrepreneurial exchange, cooperation, and international collaboration. As a private non-profit organization, the CEC is committed to nurturing entrepreneurship and business integrity, while paving the future of sustainable economic and social development.