West Australian Premier Mark McGowan will lead a five-day trade mission to China to reconnect with the state's largest trading partner, and unlike his Victorian counterpart he's taking the media.
Beginning on April 17, the first trade mission since the start of the coronavirus pandemic will include high-level meetings with key central government and industry leaders in energy, resources, science and innovation, international education and aviation.
"WA's economic relationship with China is crucial to the strength of our local economy, supporting thousands and thousands of local WA jobs," the premier said on Sunday.
"Developed over several decades, our economic relationship with China is a mutually fruitful one.
"This mission is a great opportunity to reconnect with Chinese leaders - from government to industry - and progress new trade and investment opportunities in a range of sectors."
Led by iron ore and other resources, WA accounted for more than half of Australia's total trade in goods with China in 2021/22, worth $143.6 billion.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last week courted controversy by announcing he would travel to China the day before his flight.
Journalists were not invited on his six-day trade mission to Beijing and the Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, resulting in multiple protests by media outlets.
A spokesman for Mr McGowan confirmed WA media representatives had been invited and would be travelling with the premier.
"(It is) certainly not a secret visit," the spokesman said.
A key feature of the WA mission will be the premier's fifth annual WA-China Strategic Dialogue on April 19, when up to 30 key business leaders from across Australia and China will gather in Beijing to discuss investment and trade opportunities.
Industries represented at the dialogue will include mining and resources, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, financial services and banking as well as primary industries, the government said.
Mr McGowan has travelled to China before as premier, including Shanghai in April 2019 and Beijing in 2018.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he had no plans to join his state counterparts and visit the global superpower, saying he was elected last week on domestic issues.
"Delegations are not a major priority for the NSW government," he told Sky News on Sunday.
"We want to see more international students on the ground in NSW but I believe I can do that on the ground here in this state."
