On 23 June, the 2026 Australia–China Innovation Summit, hosted by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), was held in Melbourne. Consul General Fang Xinwen attended the roundtable session by invitation and delivered remarks.Among the distinguished guests attending the event were the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs; Paul Stephens, Director of the Victorian State Office of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Leigh Howard, Victoria’s Commissioner to Greater China; Reece Roberts, Chair of the Australia China Business Council; Tom Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council; Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; as well as nearly one hundred representatives from universities, research institutions, the investment community, and the business sector.

Consul General Fang noted that China-Australia relations are continuing to improve and develop, creating favourable conditions for deepening bilateral cooperation in innovation. As one of Australia's major centres for science, technology and innovation, Victoria possesses distinct strengths in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital technologies. China, meanwhile, offers a vast market, a comprehensive industrial system and a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. The two sides enjoy highly complementary advantages and enormous potential for cooperation.

He stated that the Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne will continue to actively support all sectors in Victoria in deepening cooperation with China, fully leverage Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking the Chinese mainland with international markets, and promote continued progress in China-Australia innovation cooperation.