MELBOURNE – The rapid development of China's new energy and artificial intelligence industries is opening up new areas for cooperation between Australia and China, an Australian business leader has said.

Rhys Roberts, national president of the Australia China Business Council, made the comments in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the 2026 Economic Outlook & Financial Markets Seminar, held in Melbourne on Wednesday and hosted by the Melbourne Branch of Bank of China.

Nearly 100 representatives from the Australian business community and Chinese enterprises operating in Australia attended the event, discussing topics including the Chinese and global economic outlook, the internationalization of the renminbi, and Australia-China economic and trade exchanges.

Roberts described China as Australia's single largest and most important trading partner, saying that China's economic growth, particularly in green energy, renewables and artificial intelligence, is positive for Australia and helps strengthen the Australian economy.

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He said green energy will remain a major area for bilateral cooperation, while China and Australia should also cooperate in data centers, artificial intelligence and other areas of technological advancement.

Speaking at the seminar, Ligang Song, a professor at the Australian National University, said China is shifting from a technology taker to a technology creator, with notable progress in energy transition, digital transformation and decarbonization.

Song told Xinhua that China's economic performance in the first seven months of this year has given grounds for optimism and boosted confidence among both domestic and international investors.