“China opened up to so many services in health, education, and water management…in hundreds of areas,” Robb said, adding that these areas are Australia's particular strength, expecting “enthusiasm” over further opportunities at home.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was on hand yesterday to open the China International Import Expo designed to show China is open to global markets for business.

At the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Summit in Wuhan, Mr Robb said 2019 would be a year of continued uncertainty and “global headwinds to growth” as a result of President Trump’s trade barriers and his “attack on the global supply chain”.

Chinese investors in Australia attending a Sino-Australasian entrepreneurs’ summit have been told that the food and agricultural sector is “ripe for the picking” with local superannuation funds remaining reluctant to invest.

The architect of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement said Australia was recognised ­internationally for its clear rules around investment and said the CIC would help to ensure it ­remains in the top tier.

The annual Sino-Australian Entrepreneurs Summit (SAES) will be held from Sept. 23 to 27 in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.

There are tensions over Australian access to the Chinese market and Chinese influence in Australia. Former trade minister Andrew Robb has contradicted the government's claims it's a media beat-up.

My simple thesis tonight is that an unprecedented and unexpected surge in demand from one country, China, drove the mining boom, and further new demand from China, and other countries in our region, can sustain such growth for several decades if we play our cards correctly.