Ae> at · 2014. 3. 17. · Mr Chen Qiuyan, Director-General of Guangdong sub-council of China...

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Travel Report

Visit to Guangdong Province and

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

of the People's Republic of China

February 2014

Subm itted by H on Fiona Sim pson MP,

Speaker of the Q ueensland Legislative A ssem bly and M em ber for M aroochydore; M rs Desley Scott MP, M em ber for W oodridge

and M rs Frey a O stapovitch MP, M em ber for Stretton

Overseas Travel Report February 2014 - Speaker of the Queensland Parliament

ContentsBackground....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Objectives of visit to mainland China and Hong Kong in February 2014................................................3

Benefit of the trip 4Page | 2

Accompanying members of the delegation..................................................................................................5

Queensland Trade Officers..........................................................................................................................5

Itinerary............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Sunday Feb 16, 2014 Brisbane - Guangzhou.........................................................................................6

Monday Feb 17, 2014 Guangzhou..........................................................................................................7

Tuesday Feb 18, 2014 Guangzhou - Foshan - G uangzhou...............................................................10

Wednesday Feb 19,2014 Guangzhou - Shenzen................................................................................13

Thursday Feb 20,2014 Shenzen to Hong Kong..................................................................................15

Friday Feb 21,2014 Hong Kong / Brisbane........................................................................................17

Costs..................................................................................................................................................................19

Rules of Reporting..........................................................................................................................................19


BackgroundThe State of Queensland, and the Parliament itself, have significant international relationships. These

relationships are of mutual benefit to our trade agenda as well as culturally and socially to the people of

Queensland. These relationships are often expressed formally through a range of mechanisms such as Sister

State or Assembly agreements, and twinning relationships. Twirming relationships of the Parliament, such Page | 3

as with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, also provide the advantage of strengthening institutional integrity

through exchanges involving mentoring and professional development of Members of Parliament and

parliamentary officers.

In the case of China, the Queensland Parliament signed a Friendship Agreement with the Standing

Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress of the People's Republic of China in 2008 and since

that time there have visits from the Queensland Parliament to Guangdong as well as several delegations

from Guangdong who visited the Queensland Parliament. Since the commencement of the 54* Parliament,

two delegations from the Provincial People's Congress of the People's Republic of China have been received

by the Speaker.

In July 2013 the Queensland Treasurer signed a new State agreement with Guangdong in order to continue

to strengthen Queensland's trade relationship with Guangdong.

Objectives of visit to mainland China and Hong Kong in February 2014

The visit by the Speaker and Parliamentary delegation to the province of Guangdong in February 2014 was

within the context of reaffirming and building upon the Parliamentary friendship agreement, and to

participate in educational briefings to improve understanding and enhance cooperation.

The Friendship Agreement states that 'through friendly contact, the Queensland State Parliament and the

Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress shall work towards improving

understanding and mutual friendship, and towards promoting economic and social development.'

This visit provided a rich opportunity to strengthen this alliance between our respective assemblies while

enhancing mutual understanding about systems of government and the social and economic objectives we

hold for the people we serve.


Benefit of the tripThis visit allowed the Queensland Parliament the opportunity to promote understanding and to both

receive and provide education, as well as confirm our sincere desire to work together for mutual benefit.

Having received a number of delegations now from Guangdong, a visit to the province demonstrated a Page ] 4

commitment to cooperation from the Queensland Parliament, consistent with the agreement we have with

the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress. Such agreements must be more

than words; they must be affirmed through action.

This trip was also a benefit to Members in their parliamentary duties and in representing their electorates,

as they were able to increase their ability to understand and engage with Guangdong, with the subsequent

promotion of mutual economic and social development, either for their electorates or more broadly as

parliamentarians for Queensland.

The final day was spent in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which has one of the largest

Australian business communities outside of Australia anywhere in the world, making it a strategic business

and trade area.


Accompanying members of the delegation

The delegation consisted of:

Hon Fiona Simpson MP

Mrs Desley Scott MP

Mrs Freya Ostapovitch

Mrs Leanne Clare

Mrs Ruth Limkin

Speaker of Queensland Parliament and Member for Maroochydore

Member for Woodridge

Member for Stretton

First Clerk Assistant (Procedure) Chamber and Procedural Services

Executive Officer, Office of the Speaker

Page I 5

The Speaker would like to thank Mrs Scott and Mrs Ostapovitch for tlieir strong interest and involvement in

the many formal meetings which added great value to the delegation. Previously, Members of Parliament

were able to use their entitlements for work-related travel such as these Parliamentary delegations. An

unintended consequence of the new remuneration system is that this option has been removed.

As a result. Parliamentarians who participated in this delegation had to pay for their own airfares and a

number of other travel costs. Although they could claim a travelling allowance for an approved overseas

visit, they had to substantially subsidise their costs. These arrangements will preclude other interested

Members from being involved in such work-related delegations where there is a clear benefit to the

Parliament and our State, which is unfortunate. Delegations which align with our formal strategic

relationships, such as sister State arrangements. Parliamentary friendship agreements and Parliamentary

twinning relationships, should be able to be facilitated as part of a consistent approach.

The costs incurred by the Speaker and the Speaker's Executive Officer were paid for from the Office of the

Speaker budget. The costs of the Clerk's representative were funded from the Parliament's budget.

Queensland Trade Officers

On behalf of the entire delegation, it is with sincere appreciation that the efforts of the following

Queensland Trade Commissioners and officers in both mainland China and Hong Kong are acknowledged

and commended.

Mr Zijian Zhang

Mr Tony Wang

Ms. Angela To

Diana Liu

Commissioner

Business Development Director

Commissioner

Office Manager

TIQ China

TIQ Guangzhou

TIQ Hong Kong

TIQ Hong Kong


Itinerary

Sunday Feb 1 6 ,2014 Brisbane - GuangzhouBrisbane - Guangzhou (via Hong Kong)

Met by Mr Zijian Zhang, Commissioner, Trade and Investment Queensland China and Madam Qiu Xiaosu, *̂ 8̂® 1 ® DC of Foreign Affairs Commission of Guangdong People's Congress

NB Mrs Desley Scott was unable to secure a seat for the Hong Kong - Guangzhou leg so stayed overnight in Hong Kong and joined the delegation the following day.


Monday Feb 17, 2014 Guangzhou

8am

8;55am

Breakfast briefing by Mr Zijian Zhang, Commissioner, TIQ China

Private room

Mrs Desley Scott arrives Guangzhou and is accompanied to await meeting with the rest of

the delegation after their return from the 10am meeting.

Page I 7

10am Visit the Joint Collaborative Research and Training office of Guangdong Centre for

Disease Control and Prevention (GCDC) and Griffith University

• This joint initiative was agreed to on 24 June 2010 and the Joint Collaborative

Research and Training office was established on 22 June 2013.

• The underlying premise is that through collaboration, we win.

• Effective risk surveillance, risk assessment and risk communication all contribute to

social stability.

• Discussions included future staff training providing leadership in public health

management; training in infectious disease control and emergency management

and the promotion of knowledge sharing with Griffith University and future joint

publications.

• The Queensland Parliamentary delegation was informed of the desire by the

Guangdong Centre of Disease Control and Prevention to continue high level

exchanges of people and technology and to explore formal agreements for specific

projects.

^


2pm Guangzhou City Museum (Guangdong Museum)

Education about the history of Guangzhou

Page 1 8

3:30pm Visit to Panqiu Community, Liwan District, Guangzhou, visiting community centre,

children's educational facility and aged care facility.


6pm Meeting w ith Mr Huang Yunlong, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangdong

Provincial People's Congress, along with

Mr. Xiao Zhiheng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial

People's Congress

Mr. Chen Yikui, Secretary General of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial

People's Congress

Mr Liang Wanli, Director General of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture and

Public Health of the People's Congress of Guangdong Province

Mrs. Qiu Xiaosu, Director General of Foreign Affairs Commission of the Standing

Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress

Mr. Fu Lang,Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Provincial People's

Government

Page I 9

The Chairman reaffirmed friendships between the Governments of Guangdong and

Queensland, and the Parliamentary friendship agreement.

Priorities identified were those including the need for innovation, environmental

conservation and services and resources being available for citizens.

The delegation discussed the growth of both Queensland and Guangdong and the

many areas of cooperation that could be built upon including energy, dean food,

education and agriculture.

The Chairman extended a general invitation to Members of the Queensland parliament

to visit Guangdong as more communication helps to prevent misunderstanding.

The Speaker thanked the Chairman for the warm hospitality and assistance provided to

the delegation by officials.

6:30pm Dinner hosted by Mr Huang Yunlong, Chairman of the Standing Committee of

Guangdong Provincial People's Congress


Tuesday Feb 18,2014 Guangzhou - Foshan - Guangzhou

8:30am Transfer to Foshan by bus

9:30am Visit Nova Deko - Queensland business

Established in 2005 as a joint venture between Ausbalian and Chinese companies.Nova Deko manufactures a range of household products and building materials forinternational markets.

Met with Jim Dickson, joint founder of Nova Deko for a briefing which includedthe following information:

• Foshan is the biggest furniture producing region, and Nova Deko has been there for nine years.

• The importance of learning about the culture before taking the next step.• Studies in the EU have suggested that modular housing is a growth market,

and within 20 years, 90% of housing will come out of factories in China.• The importance of business collaboration internationally in order to remain

competitive and to maximise opportunities m a global and domestic market. "It is better to share a fortune than to have no fortune at all."

• Modular housing is being trialled in Brisbane and some were recently installed in Laidley. Benefits of such housing include strong resistance to cyclones and fires.

• There are many firms from various international markets in Foshan, but only a small percentage from Australia.

Page I 10

10:15am Visit the Ancestral Temple, maintained as a heritage site by the local authorities.


12pm Lunch meeting hosted by Foshan Provincial People's Congress

Mr. Yang Jianhua, Executive Vice Chair of Foshan Provincial People's Congress

Mr. Liu Yaochun, Vice Chair of Foshan Provincial People's Congress

Mr. Huo Xihuai, Secretary General of Foshan Provincial People's Congress

Mr Guo Changyong, Director of Foshan Foreign Affairs and Oversea Chinese Affairs Bureau, Foshan Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Bureau

Discussions included initiatives which may assist Tourism and Trade from Foshan and Guangdong with Queensland, particularly around concepts which would promote local Queensland produce to markets in the Guangdong province.

Page I 11

1:30pm Transfer to Guangzhou by bus


5pm Meeting with Her Excellency Zhao Yufang, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province,

Mr Liu Xiaojie, Deputy Secretary General of Guangdong Provincial Government

Ms Qiu Xiaosu, Director-General of Foreign Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee

of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress

Mr Chen Qiuyan, Director-General of Guangdong sub-council of China Council for the Page | 12

Promotion of International Trade

Mr Chen Yuehua, Deputy Director-General of Guangdong Department of Foreign Trade

and Economic Cooperation

Mr Li Jian, Deputy Director General of Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office

Mr Hu Zhenmin, Vice Councillor of Guangdong Education Department

During this meeting, the Vice-Governor armounced that Guangdong will open a Trade Office in Queensland this year. This will promote trade and tourism opportunities and the announcement received strong support from the Speaker, on behalf of Queensland.

The Vice-Governor introduced Mr Chen Yuehua, Deputy Director-General of Guangdong Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, who was tasked with setting the Trade Office in Queensland.

The Speaker then introduced the Queensland Trade Commissioner, Mr Zijian Zhang, who was in attendance with the Parliamentary delegation. Following the Delegation's visit, Mr Zhang will begin planning discussions with Mr Chen in order to progress this announced Trade Office.

Other discussions between the Vice-Governor and Speaker included;

• The benefits of close collaboration between Guangdong and Queensland• Australian exports to Guangdong are growing every year• Encouraging more Guangdong businesses to go to Australia• The welcoming of joint education programs being set up in Guangdong, whether

short term or long term.• Chinese people are being encouraged to travel by their government, so they may

have positive international experiences, and travel programs that could be developed between Guangdong and Queensland

• Promotion and publicity between the two areas so that there may be more knowledge of Queensland and Australia by the Chinese people.

8pm Pearl River Cruise


Wednesday Feb 19, 2014 Guangzhou - Shenzen

9am

11am

Transfer to Shenzen by bus

Visit to Shenzhen Museum

The museum showcases the city's short yet dynamic history ot social transformation before and after Deng Xiaoping's policies of reform.

Page I 13

2;30pm

3pmGroup

Transfer to headquarters of Hua Wei Group

Tour and briefing with Mr David Wang, President of Government Affairs, Hua Wei

The briefing from Mr Wang included the following information

• Hua Wei is an ICT company serving 1 /3 of the world's population• It was described to the delegation as a company owned by staff with 150,000

employees, and 70,000 of them are described as shareholders.• Challenges include needing to find the best people and best resources across the

world and how to drive innovation.• The concept of self-criticism or continual improvement is important• They strive for a customer centric corporate culture which includes

o Booming Chinese and International Telecommunication markets o Customer-centre innovationo Employee stock ownership for high performing employees o World leading management


5pm Transfer to hotel and media interviews with Shenzen Daily

6pm Meeting w ith Madam Liu En, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen M unicipal People's Congress

Mr. Nie Zhenguang, Director General of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress

Mr. Lan Zhongbo, Deputy Director General of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress

Ms. Mo Jiangping, Office Director of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress

Page I 14

Discussions included;

• Shenzen is a sister city of Brisbane and the average age of the population in

Shenzen is 28 years old.

• Madam Liu has been to Brisbane and expressed her appreciation of the experience

she had, which had been most positive.

• The history of Shenzen and its reforms had been most important to building

relationships as Shenzen opened the door for the rest of the world to engage with

China

• Queensland and Shenzen have a shared history of relationship which is bearing

fruit in education, tourism and trade.

• Madam Liu remarked on the delegation, saying she was truly proud of women in

politics.

6:30pm Dinner - Hosted by Vice-Chair of Shenzhen People's Congress


Thursday Feb 20, 2014 Shenzen to Hong Kong

Sam

10am

Depart hotel and travel to Hong Kong

Greeted by Ms Angela To, Trade Commissioner of Hong Kong

Program briefingPage I 15

H am Site visit and Tour of the Legislative Council Complex

The tour included visits to the Legislative Council's broadcasting area. Library, Archives and general facilities.

12:30pm Queensland Lunch hosted by the Speaker, Honourable Fiona Simpson MP and attendedby the delegation.

• Mrs. Lau Kun Lai-kuen, Stella, JP, Chairperson, Women's Commission• Mrs. Agnes Koon, President, Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs

Association• Mr. Lawrence Ma, Barrister at law of Andrew Liao SC Chambers and President of UQ

Alumni Association of Hong Kong• Mr. Ronald Yam, President, Greater China of CPA Australia• Mr Stephen Yap, President of the Australian Chinese Association of Hong Kong


3pm Meeting w ith Mr C T Ling, Assistant Director of Planning Department, Hong Kong SAR Government and a guided tour of City Gallery.

The City Gallery is the first planning and infrastructure gallery in Hong Kong. It is a unique exhibition venue featuring Hong Kong's major planning proposals and infrastructure projects. It also shows Hong Kong's future development outlook.

Briefing included an overview of how the city planning priorities for Hong Kong are implemented, and the infrastructure plarmed for the next decade.

Page I 16

4:30pm Meeting w ith Honourable Elsie L eung, GBM, JP, Former Secretary of Justice ofHong Kong from 1997 to 2005, and former member of Executive Council of Hong Kong

In this meeting, the Honourable Elsie Leung provided a comprehensive overview of the current consultation and discussion about transitions in systems of government and how candidates may be selected for elections in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

5:30pm Market Briefing by Ms. Angela To, Trade Commissioner

Queensland Dinner hosted by the Speaker, Honourable Fiona Simpson MP and attended by the delegation• Ms. Shirley Mak, Vice Chairman, The Federation of Australian Alumni

Associations Hong Kong• Mrs. Dalene Wray, Regional Manager, OBE Beef• Ms. Gloria Ge, Director, Griffith Bachelor of Business Program, Griffith

University• Ms. Brooke Patterson, Director, The Australian Chamber of Commerce Hong

Kong.• Ms. Nixie Lam, Business Development Manager - Employer, CPA Australia

and Tsuen Wan District Councillor


Friday Feb 21,2014 Hong Kong / Brisbane

9am M eeting w ith Mr. Paul Tighe

Australian Consul-General Hong Kong and Macau

During this meeting, the size and needs of the Australian business community in Hong Kong was discussed, along with the governance systems and transitions currently occurring.

Page 1 17

10:30am Visit Australian International School Hong Kong

Meeting with Mr. Phillip Waugh, Secondary Principal

and Ms. Leonie Drew, Primary Principal

This meeting and tour provided the opportunity to discuss how the Australian International School Hong Kong provides education and values consistent with schools based in Australia, as well as needs regarding teacher registration. The facility is growing through an innovative use of space and dedicated teaching and administrative staff.


2:25pm M eeting w ith the Honourable Jasper Tsang, GBS, JP, the President of theLegislative Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

Discussions in the meeting included:

• The different constituencies in the Legislative Council, including geographical constituencies and functional constituencies.

• Constitutional developments currently being debated including how to elect the Chief Executive in 2017.

• The need to build consensus, as 2 /3 of the whole council, including the President, are required to vote in favour of constitutional change in order for it progress.

• Ways in which citizens of Hong Kong are encouraged to vote and ways of encouraging citizens to be engaged in the political process.

Page I 18

4pm Proceed to Hong Kong Station for Airport Express train to the Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong - Brisbane (arriving Saturday 22 February 2014)


CostsExpected travel costs to be met for the Speaker and the Speaker's Executive Officer are as follows.

Speaker FlightsAccommodation Estimated expenses: meals, train

Executive Officer FlightsAccommodation Incidental allowances Estimated expenses: meals, taxi, visa, train $275.21

Ground transportFor the delegation was $900.00

$6237.38$1828.15$152.27

$6237.38$1331.80$210.00

Page I 19

Rules of ReportingGuidelines for the Financial Management of the Office of the Speaker require that a report be tabled following any overseas travel by the Speaker:

5.2.5.S Report to ParliamentFolloiving return from overseas travel, the Speaker must table in Parliament within one month o f return, or the next available sitting, a written report on the overseas travel undertaken.The report is to detail-• benefits obtained from the overseas travel;• any duties undertaken on behalf o f Queensland (which would be ancillary to the primary purpose of the travel);• the final itinerary, including countries visited, dates of travel, and sufficient detail to substantiate the official nature of the journey;• details of accompanying persons (including the spouse) whose costs are to be met by public funds and purpose for their attendance; and• details o f any personal component of the travel.Note that the total estimated cost of the travel is to be included in the report and/or the actual costs are to be reported in tire Statement for Public Disclosure, to be presented to Parliament on a six monthly basis. (Refer section 2.3).


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