Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China this week for the Annual Leaders’ Meeting, with boosting Australian wine exports among the topics on the table.

The PM visited the Château Tanunda Cellar Door in Sydney ahead of flying to China, speaking with Managing Director Michelle Geber about the reopening of the Chinese market following tariffs and the positive impact it has had on the winery.

“We are so honoured to have the Prime Minister here to visit us at Château Tanunda at our Sydney cellar door here in the Rocks,” Geber said.

“The resumption of trade in China has meant so much to our business over the last few years with an increase of 1000% of our sales into China.”

“Thank you to Château Tanunda for having us here at their cellar door here in historic The Rocks,” Albanese said.

“An appropriate place, given the age of the vines which are there in the Barossa Valley, producing some of the oldest wine vines in the world. Producing, in my view, the best wine in the world. And importantly, as well, that’s what the world thinks, because they want to purchase our products.

“As Michelle said, the fact that this business here has increased its exports to China by more than 1000%, and that’s replicated in the Barossa Valley, in the Clare Valley, in the Hunter Valley, in Margaret River, in Tasmania, in the Riverina, in the wine regions of Australia, in which those regional jobs are so important. And so, there is a real interest in ensuring that Australia benefits from trade in our region.” 

Albanese is being accompanied by business leaders during the visit in hope of further strengthening the relationship between Australia and Chinese markets for trade. The Prime Minister will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu and will also meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji of the National People’s Congress.

“My government has worked very hard to diversify trade … and to increase our relationships with other countries in the region, including India and Indonesia and the ASEAN countries,” Albanese said.

“But the relationship with China is an important one, as is our relationships when it comes to exports with the north Asian economies of South Korea and Japan.”

At a business lunch in Shanghai, the Prime Minister also praised Penfolds, which was served alongside Australian beef and seafood.

“It was gratifying earlier this year to know that Australian produce was part of the enjoyment of Chinese New Year celebrations,” he said.

“There were families in Shanghai and Beijing and beyond enjoying Australian beef together, friends exchanging gifts of Australian cherries, and toasting the Year of the Snake with the best wine in the world. It is a success story that benefits everyone, from producers to consumers.

“So I am delighted that we have Australian beef and seafood on our tables today – and, thanks to Treasury Wine Estates and Penfolds, proudly Australian wine. This is just part of the bigger success story that Australia can tell. It’s a story of a dependable trade partner backed by a strong, reliable economy.”