Australia sees greater opportunities in trade and cultural exchange under the Belt and Road Initiative, Australian officials and experts said at a forum recently.

Graeme Meehan, Australian Consul General in Shanghai, said China has been Australia’s largest export destination and trading partner, and that the exchange of education and tourism, as well as increased trade and investment are important elements in the China-Australia economic relationship.

“Since the two countries' free trade agreement took effect in 2015, Australia has served the demand of China’s growing middle class in financial services, agricultural products, and other consumer goods,” Meehan told the Australia-China Finance & Economic Forum hosted by the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.