CHINA and Japan are on West Australian premier Roger Cook and mines and petroleum minister David Michael’s hit list as they push exports of the state’s green and renewable energy in visits to those two countries this week.
The pair will attend business and government meetings as they press both countries to help further the government's priorities, including its ambition of making WA a renewable energy powerhouse.
This will include a visit to Shanghai, where the premier will also open the 7th Western Australia-China Strategic Dialogue, which enables discussions between the WA State Government and key Chinese investors.
Premier Cook will also co-open the Western Australia-Zhejiang 10th Exchange Committee Meeting while in China to affirm WA's commitment to its 38-year-old sister-state relationship with Zhejiang.
Following that visit, the premier will then go to Japan, which is WA's largest liquefied natural gas customer, with WA shipping LNG to Japan to meet the country's energy needs since 1989.
There, he will lead an industry delegation of WA business representatives and attend several engagements and WA event activations as part of World Expo 2025 in Osaka which will showcase the state's capabilities in supporting the global energy transition and attracting investment to WA.
He will then attend engagements in Hyogo Prefecture, which is partner to WA's oldest sister-state relationship – established in 1981.
The relationship has focused on the exchange and development of clean energy, green technology and environment along with social and governance (ESG) frameworks.
In a media statement Mr Cook said his vision is for WA to be at the forefront of the clean energy transition – which will support economic diversification and cement the state’s role in a low-carbon global economy.
"As our number one trading partner, the importance of WA's relationship with China cannot be overstated,” Mr Cook said.
"China made up more than 50% of the state's good exports in the year to June, supporting thousands of local jobs for Western Australians.
"This mission is a great opportunity to highlight the trade ties we share with China and Japan and promote WA as a great place to invest and do business.
"It will become even more important as both Australia, and our near neighbours undertake our energy transitions.
"In Japan, I'll promote WA's capacity and capability in the fields of energy, technology and innovation.
"World Expo Osaka offers a powerful platform to highlight Western Australia's to attract investment and strengthen trade and tourism ties with Japan."