Direct flights between Perth and China to be announced during Premier Li Qiang’s visit to WA

More direct flights between Perth and China will be announced as Beijing’s second-in-charge tours WA, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed.

It was revealed on Saturday that WA Premier Roger Cook was planning to raise the prospect of more direct flights between the destinations during one-on-one talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Speaking on ABC Perth on Tuesday morning, Mr Albanese confirmed that an announcement was imminent.

“Chinese tourism is coming back — that’s a good thing,” he said.

“We’ll have further announcements today about an increase in direct flight between Perth and China.

“That is also about jobs in the services sector, in tourism and hospitality. It is so important — and Perth has so much to offer.”

Mr Albanese said images of Mr Li in Kings Park would be beamed to an audience of a billion people in China, delivering a major boon to WA tourism.

The State Government announced last month the return of nonstop flights between WA and China from November, with China Southern Airlines to put on three trips a week between Perth and Guangzhou.

The Government has been keen to establish regular direct flights between Perth and Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines, building on seasonal direct flights operated by the carrier between the cities over the 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period.

Mr Albanese and Mr Li will meet business heavyweights in Perth on the final day of the Chinese’s premier’s four-day tour of Australia.

Mr Li will also visit the lithium refinery co-owned by Chinese company Tianqi — Australia’s first fully-automated lithium hydroxide processing plant — and Fortescue’s green hydrogen research and development facility.

The leaders will also attend a banquet hosted by the Chung Wah Association, WA’s oldest ethnic community organisation.