australian tourism in china

Australia’s battered tourism puts hope in China’s reopening

Tourism-reliant businesses are hopeful the return of Chinese visitors will revive the sector from the pandemic slump.

Sydney, Australia – CBT Holidays, a Sydney-based tour company, hopes the reopening of China’s borders will revive Australia’s tourism sector after a year of “surviving”.

The tour company lost access to its biggest market in 2020 when Australia and China both slammed their borders shut in response to the emergence of COVID-19. For much of 2021, CBT Holidays, which focuses on package tours to China, ceased operations altogether due to a lack of customers.

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Despite Australia reopening to visitors in February 2022 and the efforts of many tour operators to pivot to domestic tourism, business stayed at a crawl for much of the sector last year.

While Australians remained locked out of China, Chinese arrivals to Australia dropped more than 95 percent from the 1.43 million visitors in 2019.

“Initially, we had some compensation from [the] Australia government and New South Wales government until probably one and a half years ago,” Eric Wong, product manager at CBT Holidays, told AL Jazeera.

“And [then] we just shut the business down.”

Now, as China reopens its borders from Sunday, potentially millions of Chinese, including tourists, students and business travellers, are expected to travel overseas to destinations such as Australia for the first time in three years.

“[It’s] good news, the Chinese border is open,” Jimmy L, the owner of CBT Holidays, told Al Jazeera, requesting he be referred to by his first name and an initial of his surname.

“More or less, the business will come… and then we can make the profit again.”

Still, he is cautious about how long it will take for business to bounce back, not least because of a lack of flights in and out of China and the prohibitive cost of fares.

“For example, before, the return ticket to China was about 1,000 Australian dollars ($688). And now [it’s] 8,000, 9,000 [Australian dollars] ($5,500, $6,200)… for economy,” he said.

Sun, the managing director of China Travel Service, another China-focused operator in Sydney, agreed.

There are currently only “a couple of flights” coming to Australia from China, carrying just a few hundred passengers, Sun told Al Jazeera, asking to be referred to by his surname.

While Chinese airlines are increasing flights to and from Australia, Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, has yet to announce the resumption of routes to China.

“I think that will change a lot… when the airlines increase the flight schedule… I think the people exchange between these two countries will be more and more frequent and then gradually go back to normal,” Sun said.

So far, there has been little action from the Australian government to encourage travel between China and Australia, despite Chinese visitors accounting for 12.3 billion Australian dollars ($8.5bn), or one-third, of all tourist spending before the pandemic.

On New Year’s Day, Australia announced that travellers from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, would have to provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to travel amid concerns surging cases in China could result in new and more dangerous variants for Australia.

The Australian government announced the measures – which followed similar moves by countries including India, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – despite advice from the country’s chief medical officer that new restrictions on travel were not necessary.

Beijing has condemned the measures, saying any COVID-19 control policy needs to be “proportionate” and “science-based”, without affecting “normal travel and people-to-people exchange and cooperation”.

Sun said he is not too worried about the tests preventing or dissuading some Chinese from making the trip to Australia.

“I think that’s fine… That’s very, very reasonable,” he said. “Even now, for Australian people or for the Australian-Chinese to visit China, they still need a 48-hours COVID test. It is the same.”

“Also I think we need time – the policy may change,” he added.

But Sun said there remains a lot to be done to encourage Chinese people to return to Australia en masse.

“We still need [to] reconnect with those hotels, those attractions, then get the new equipment, new contracts and then based on that we create a new product for the Chinese inbound customers,” he said.

“Also we need to reconnect with the Chinese travel compan[ies] to create the package tour product for Australian people [travelling to China] so that should take a couple of months for us to prepare for that.”

At the same time, Sun said he has learned from experience that it is vital for his business to continue expanding beyond China to ensure its future.

“We can’t put all the eggs in one basket,” he said, adding that CTS has already begun to expand.

In the meantime, companies like CTS are eagerly anticipating the return of Chinese visitors.

Sun said while he had expected China to eventually open its borders, he did not expect it to be so soon.

That’s why when everyone knows this news, especially in this industry, they’re very excited,” he said. “We’re very excited. [It’s] good news.”

Great shortfall of China: Australia's biggest tourism market returns with a whimper

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The real story behind the “boom” in Chinese tourism to Australia

Professor & Co-Director, Sustainable Tourism, Curtin University

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I recall attending a World Tourism Organisation [WTO] Conference in Tasmania ten years ago, where it was predicted that China would become the both the largest outbound travel market as well as the largest inbound travel market by 2020.

All indications are that China is on track to assume the number one position in terms of visitor arrivals in Australia, and other Approved Destination Status countries, and significant growth in Australian outbound travel to China in recent years is also helping to fulfil that WTO prophecy.

However, to reveal the full story behind this purported “boom” in Chinese arrivals to Australia, it is worth further analysing market profiles, reasons for visiting and expenditure patterns of Chinese visitors.

Competition

The Chinese outbound travel market comprises only about 10% of the total population of China, mainly those residing in the major provinces and wealthy enough to travel overseas. Of those 130 million wealthy Chinese, about 40 million travel overseas annually, of which Australia’s share is 400,000, or about 1%. That is on par with Australia’s share of all international travellers, so it appears that we are “holding our own” in terms of global market share.

However, there are inherent difficulties in targeting market share as an indicator of success, as we cannot control for the actions of our competitors, who are also aggressively targeting the Chinese market, mainly the 100 ADS countries.

The United States, for example, has allocated $50 million for tourism marketing in China and countries like Japan, Korea and Singapore are already attracting Chinese visitors. It may be that other ADS countries are better placed to meet the specific needs of Chinese travellers, particularly those that are price competitive, have more favourable exchange rates, better shopping or a more substantial Chinese diaspora population.

Segmentation

In 2010, some 21% of Chinese visitors to Australia came for educational purposes, but accounted for 51% of Total Inbound Economic Value (TIEV).

The education segment also skewed the average age of visitors, so that 31% of Chinese visitors were aged 15 to 29 and average length of stay blows out to 112 nights. Questions must be asked about the extent to which the tourism sector benefits from this segment, comprising one third of Chinese visitor arrivals and one half of Chinese visitor expenditure.

The profiles of the remaining segments of 44% holiday, 17% visiting friend and relatives [VFR] and 16% business also raises some questions. The fastest growing segment is VFR, which may have very different spending patterns compared with the other segments. The main destinations for all segments are the gateway cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide (where most education centres and our Australian Chinese population are located), with the regions receiving only 7% of Chinese arrivals in 2010.

Previous studies indicate the Chinese pleasure/holiday segment is price sensitive, and is more likely to prefer a lower price package tour. This compromises the quality of accommodation and tour itinerary by tour operators and results in lower levels of visitor satisfaction.

Other unscrupulous inbound tour operators have been found to have engaged in unethical business practices such as restricting itineraries to shops that provide secret commissions, charging for free tours of places such as the Sydney Opera House, poorly trained tour guides and misleading information regarding visitor safety in order to control the group.

First-time travellers, usually on package tours, are most susceptible to these practices, not only compromising the quality of visitor experience, but also generating negative word-of-mouth messages back in China. This has already been found in a study of Chinese visitors in Victoria.

Boom and bust

There have been comparisons between the inchoate Chinese and Japanese travel markets but apart from the economic strengths of their respective economies, there is absolutely no similarity in the way that these tourism markets performed.

Whereas the Japanese market was predominantly pleasure holiday visitors with a propensity to spend money (albeit in Japanese owned hotels and retail outlets) and time in urban and regional Australia, Chinese tourists have very different visitor profiles and expenditure, purpose of visit and main destinations.

Currently in Australia about half of Chinese arrivals are accounted for by the education, not the tourism sector, while half is being bussed around gateway cities on package tours.

Hence, it appears that Chinese travel is re-defining the boom and bust cycle that has characterised Australian tourism over the last few decades, leaving many tourism operators around Australia waiting for the boom (and the bus) to arrive.

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The Australia-China tourism relationship

September 11 2018.

It is well known that China is now Australia’s largest and most lucrative source of tourism to Australia at 1.35 million visitors and AU$11 billion annually. It is less well known that 700,000 Australians visit China annually and Australia ranks as the 13th largest source of inbound tourism to China.

The Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) on September 11 2018 welcomed tourism experts Dr David Beirman, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Management Discipline Group, UTS Business School; Dr George Chen, Principal Analyst and Manager of National Tourism Forecasts, Tourism Research Australia (TRA), Austrade; and Ms Sharon Dai, Head of Data Solutions, CAPA – Centre for Aviation, to explore the latest trends in Australia-China tourism on a panel moderated by Professor Bob Carr, Director of ACRI. This was followed by a Q&A session with the audience. 

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

About the panellists:

David Beirman

David Beirman is a senior lecturer in the Management Discipline Group specialising in tourism. He completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees majoring in Sociology at the University of NSW. David has had an extensive career in the Australian travel industry, which encompassed work with retail travel agencies, wholesale tour operators, destination marketing organisations and management, human resource management and in-service industry training between 1981 and 2009. Prior to joining UTS as a full-time lecturer David had developed tourism courses and lectured part-time at UTS and other universities in tourism, marketing, Middle East studies and sociology.

George Chen  

Dr George Chen is Principal Analyst and Manager of National Tourism Forecasts, Tourism Research Australia (TRA), Austrade. He specialises in producing forecasts on Australia’s inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. George is also TRA’s China tourism expert, managing research projects in this area. He has previously worked as an economist and policy advisor across various Australian Government departments including the Department of Industry and the Treasury. He has also worked as a research economist at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing back in the early 1990s.

Sharon Dai graduated from University of Technology Sydney (UTS), majoring in Tourism Management and International Studies (China), with a focus on aviation and Chinese language and culture. She has since become currently the Head of Data Solutions at CAPA – Centre for Aviation, a global leader in market intelligence for the aviation and travel industry. Sharon has more than 10 years of experience in the aviation industry specialising in the high potential and rapidly growing Greater China aviation market. Sharon also has over a decade of experience in aviation and financial data analysis and has driven the development of CAPA’s data toolkit, expanding CAPA’s data centre to include extensive and up-to-date company traffic and financial profiles, MRO and fleet data, a comprehensive capacity and schedules database, and an in depth and expanding suite of airline and airport databases.

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China Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme

The ADS scheme allows Chinese tourists to travel to Australia in guided groups.

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Status:  Open

About the ADS scheme

China’s ADS scheme has reopened. This follows the Chinese Government’s announcement on 10 August 2023 that Australia was again included on a list of countries for the scheme.

Austrade manages the ADS scheme in Australia with the Department of Home Affairs and Tourism Australia. We look forward to welcoming the return of Chinese group tours as part of the ADS scheme.

A phased approach to reopening

Austrade is planning a staged resumption of the previously paused ADS scheme. It will have 3 phases:

• Activation phase – short-term response to re-establish processes and reactivate previously approved inbound tour operators (ITOs) and so that ADS tour groups can commence visiting Australia.
• Transition phase – medium-term response measures where lessons from the activation phase and outcomes from a review of the scheme inform changes to the future administration of the scheme. New ITOs can apply to be included in the scheme.
• Implementation phase – long-term response measures where the framework, protocols and requirements are reflecting both government and industry requirements which are developed, consulted upon and implemented.

How to reactivate your approved status

ITOs previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to:

• apply to reactivate their approved status
• operate ADS tour groups.

To apply to reactivate:

• email ads@austrade.gov.au to request a reactivation form
• complete and return the form along with supporting information.

To be considered for reactivation, ITOs will need to have maintained the relevant requirements to be an approved operator, such as membership of a relevant industry organization and continue to meet the Fit and Proper Person requirements.

View the list of reactivated ITOs at  Approved inbound tour operators .

New ITO applicants

New ITOs can apply for the ADS scheme. To apply:

• email  ads@austrade.gov.au  to request a new ITO application form
• complete and return the form to us with supporting information.

View the list of reactivated and new ITOs at Approved inbound tour operators .

Tour guides

Tour guides (TGs) previously approved under the ADS scheme are eligible to continue to work with ADS approved ITOs.

Previously approved ADS TGs who need to update their contact details can do so by emailing ads@austrade.gov.au.

Austrade is not currently approving any new tour guide applications. However, if you are a tour guide and you would like to work in the ADS scheme as a guide you can.

Unapproved tour guides can work under the ADS scheme provided they:

• agree to register their details with the approved ADS ITO that is managing the tour; and
• follow the conditions set out in Section 5 of the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics - Obligations of ADS Tour Guides .

The ITO must record the unapproved tour guide’s details in the Austrade ADS tour guide register included in your approval email and provide Austrade with the register when asked as part of our compliance monitoring checks.

Note: Austrade is continuing to monitor and undertake ADS code compliance activities. This will include compliance projects involving approved ADS inbound tour operators and tour guides.

ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics  

Approved ITOs are required to abide by the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics .

The Code sets out the minimum quality standards and requirements for ADS tours.

The role of the Australian Government

Austrade administers Australia’s ADS scheme with the Department of Home Affairs and Tourism Australia.

Austrade’s role is to undertake assessment and approval of ITOs in the ADS scheme in Australia and monitor compliance with the ADS Code of Business Standards and Ethics.

The Department of Home Affairs manages the immigration requirements of the scheme and is responsible for approving outbound tour operators (OTOs) to sell ADS tour packages and apply for ADS visas on the tourists’ behalf.

Tourism Australia  is responsible for marketing Australia to Chinese consumers and for working with OTOs to equip them with the knowledge and skills to create and sell high quality tour packages to Australia.

Email  ads@austrade.gov.au .

Telephone: 1800 048 155 (during business hours 9am – 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday, except public holidays).

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Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall. 

Other levels apply in some areas.

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Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Tibet and Xinjiang due to the security situation and associated measures.

• Petty crime occurs. Criminals target travellers in crowded areas, including on public transport. Resisting can lead to violence.
• Scams targeting travellers can lead to loss of money, violence and serious assault. Report scams to the nearest police station.
• Armed attacks are a risk in remote border regions. Be careful if travelling in these areas.
• The Chinese Government strictly controls demonstrations. Authorities may arrest protesters. Avoid protests and large gatherings. Don't photograph or video protests.
• Increased security measures are in place in Xinjiang. Be ready to show photo ID if asked.
• There's civil unrest and political tension in Tibet. Get permission from Chinese authorities before you go. You can only travel to Tibet as part of an organised tour.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Tap water in China may not be safe to drink. Drink only bottled water with intact seals.
• People have died from bird flu in China. Stay away from live poultry. When preparing food, handle poultry properly and ensure it's thoroughly cooked.
• HIV/AIDS is a significant risk in China. Take precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to the risk of infection. Ask for sterilised equipment when receiving medical treatment.
• Animal and human rabies and hand, foot and mouth disease are common. Be careful with both wild and domestic animals in China. Wash your hands carefully and regularly. Take other hygiene precautions.
• High pollution levels are a problem in major cities. Follow the advice from local authorities on days with harmful pollution.

Full travel advice:  Health

• The Australian Government can't intervene in the Chinese justice process. We also can't help if you're a dual national and don't enter China on your Australian passport.
• Chinese law treats a person aged 12 years and older as an adult. China has strict laws and severe criminal punishments including the death penalty and life imprisonment.
• You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask.
• Chinese authorities undertake random drug testing on foreign nationals and can prosecute individuals who return a positive test result regardless of when or where the drugs were taken .
• Many business and employment issues may be considered criminal matters in China. Penalties are severe. Get professional legal advice before entering into any employment or commercial contract in China.
• If you're a former Chinese citizen, authorities may treat you as a citizen and refuse access to Australian consular services. Get legal advice if you're unsure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of China for the latest details.
• China is gradually reintroducing visas on arrival, including transit visas. You may be permitted to enter China if you’re a foreign national holding a valid residence permit for work, personal matters or reunion. Australians should also contact the nearest  Chinese embassy or consulate  to confirm visa validity and eligibility, and other travel requirements.  

Flights between China and Australia have increased but are less frequent than pre-COVID-19. 

• China has implemented random COVID-19 testing for inbound travellers arriving at airports. Authorities have advised that no follow-up action will be taken if travellers test positive on arrival, but they may be advised to seek medical treatment.
• You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau. This will be part of the standard check-in process if you stay at a hotel. 

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• For consular services in China, contact the  Australian Embassy in Beijing  or our Consulates-General in  Shanghai ,  Guangzhou,  Chengdu , and Shenyang . 
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Petty crime.

Petty crime occurs, including:

• pickpocketing
• bag-snatching
• theft of laptops, passports and mobile phones

If you resist, you can be injured if criminals turn violent.

Criminals target travellers in crowded areas, including on transport.

People have reported  assaults  and  robberies , particularly in areas popular with expats. This includes bar and shopping precincts in  major cities .

There are scams  that target travellers.

Scammers invite travellers for a massage, teahouse service, or nearby cafes and bars. They offer various reasons and may say they wish 'to practise their English'.

Afterwards, they present travellers with an inflated bill. They won't let the traveller leave until they pay the bill by credit card.

Sometimes travellers are asked to carry concealed drugs out of China.

Never carry parcels or luggage for others.

Always pack your own bags.

ATM scams occur. Sometimes scammers set up fake ATMs that take the user's card.

Only use ATMs inside a secure place such as a bank or shopping centre. Do this during daylight hours.

If you're the victim of a crime or scam, report it to the nearest police station immediately.

Always obtain a police report when reporting a crime.

Fake money scams

Be careful of scams if paying a taxi fare with a RMB100 note. The taxi driver may swap the note for a fake note. They will then return the fake note and refuse to accept it as payment because it’s counterfeit.

Armed bandit attacks are a risk in remote areas bordering:

Be careful if travelling in these areas.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

The Chinese Government prohibits demonstrations they haven't approved. Authorities may arrest protesters.

Avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings.

Don't photograph, film or participate in protests or other acts that authorities may consider provocative.

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Xinjiang Uyghur  Autonomous Region (Xinjiang)

Increased security measures are in place in Xinjiang.

People of Uyghur descent are particularly affected.

Security checks in major cities in Xinjiang are common. Be ready to show photo ID if asked.

Violent incidents causing deaths and injuries have occurred across Xinjiang.

The government may restrict movement and communications in Xinjiang with little warning.

Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet)

In the past, protests have turned violent and people have been killed or injured.

If you're travelling to Tibet, get permission from Chinese authorities first.

You must also apply for a Tibet Entry Permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

You can only lodge applications for Tibet Entry Permits through specialised travel agents in China.

You can only travel as part of an organised tour.

See  Travel

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Attacks could be targeted or random. They may include places travellers and expats visit.

In recent years, terrorist and other violent attacks have caused injuries and deaths in public places. Targets include railway stations and markets.

You could become the victim of violence directed at others.

Climate and natural disasters

China experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes

Typhoons can happen along the southern and eastern coasts between May and November.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning.

If there's a typhoon:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights and other transport could be delayed or suspended
• access to seaports may be affected
• adequate shelter may not be available
• available transport may fill quickly

If a typhoon is approaching:

• know the evacuation plan for your accommodation or cruise ship
• identify your local shelter
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• closely monitor alerts and advice from authorities such as the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• keep in contact with your friends and family

If you plan to travel, contact your airline for the latest flight information. 

• World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
• China Meteorological Administration

Earthquakes and tsunamis

China can experience earthquakes and large, destructive tsunamis.

If there's an earthquake or tsunami:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media for updates

Check with the Tsunami Warning Centre  for updates on seismic activity and tsunamis.

If you're near the coast, move to high ground straight away if advised, or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you travel. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in China. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Depending on your location, tap water in China may be unsafe to drink.

Drink only bottled water with sealed lids.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

People have died from  avian influenza  in China. Avian influenza virus strains continue to circulate in poultry in China.

The primary source of infection seems to be poultry handled in poultry markets.

To protect yourself from avian influenza:

• stay away from live poultry
• don't visit live bird and animal markets, including 'wet' markets and poultry farms
• practise good personal hygiene

When preparing food, handle poultry properly. Thoroughly cook all parts of the poultry.

• Avian influenza (WHO)
• Infectious diseases

HIV/AIDS  is a significant risk in China.

Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the risk of infection.

If you need medical treatment, you could be exposed to unsafe blood and blood products. This is a particular risk in regional China.

Ask for sterilised equipment. You may need to pay for new syringes in hospitals or clinics.

Insect-borne illnesses

Japanese encephalitis  is widespread in rural southern China from June to August. The disease is also known as encephalitis B. A vaccine is available.

The risk of  malaria   increases during warm weather and is more significant in rural areas, particularly in the provinces of:

• Tibet (Zanbo Valley areas only)

Dengue  cases have risen sharply, especially in Guangdong and Guangzhou. Risks increase during the wet season.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
• get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis

Animal and human  rabies  are common. Health authorities report many cases each year. 

Be careful with both wild and domestic animals in China.

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)  is common. Sometimes serious outbreaks happen.

Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. However, outbreaks can continue until October each year.

The disease mainly affects children under the age of 10 years. Adult cases, particularly in young adults, are not unusual.

People with HFMD experience fever, blisters and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks.

The disease is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and faeces of infected people.

To protect yourself from illness:

• wash your hands carefully and regularly
• take other hygiene precautions

High pollution levels are a problem.

Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions may be especially affected by pollution.

Authorities issue red alerts when pollution is expected to be especially bad.

When a red alert is in place, authorities:

• close schools
• limit car use
• suspend construction activity

Flights are regularly delayed in China because of smog.

Dust storms occur across the north of China. They can:

• cause eye, nose, mouth and throat irritations
• make heart and lung problems worse

Get medical advice if you're worried about air pollution.

Follow the advice from local authorities about days with bad pollution and how to reduce your exposure.

• Air Quality Index
• US Embassy, Beijing
• Air pollution

Altitude sickness

Parts of China are at altitudes of over 3,000m, including:

• parts of Xinjiang
• Western Sichuan

If you travel to those areas, you may get  altitude sickness .

People with lung, heart or chest problems should take extra care. Even if you're healthy, you can still be affected.

Symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• coordination problems

In severe cases, fluid can build up in your lungs, brain or both, which can be fatal.

To protect yourself from altitude sickness:

• ascend slowly, especially above an altitude of 2500m
• rest when needed and don't push your body
• avoid alcohol and cigarettes

If you're affected by severe altitude sickness, get to lower ground as soon as possible.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

International standard medical services in China are expensive.

If you plan on staying in China for a while:

• find out about local health insurance
• ask your employer if they provide health cover

Some hospitals in major cities have special departments for treating foreigners.

However, the standard of medical care and the range of medications is often limited, especially outside major cities.

Medical staff in rural areas may not be adequately trained.

Hospitals and doctors may ask for an up-front cash payment before treating you. This includes emergency care.

Medical evacuation from China can be very expensive.

Medical tourism

Travel to China for  medical treatment  is increasing.

Research and choose your medical service providers carefully. Ask health professionals and former patients about the quality.

Avoid uncertified medical service providers. Their standards may be poor, and they may be unable to provide the advertised medical care.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

The Australian Government can't intervene in the Chinese justice process.

In China, authorities treat a person aged 12 years and above as an adult under the law.

If detained, a person of this age will be:

• held with adults
• subject to the same conditions and legal processes as adults

The Australian Government can't help you if you're a  dual national  and you travel on your:

• Chinese passport
• Hong Kong or Macau Mainland Travel Permit
• identity card issued by Taiwan
• any non-Australian foreign passport
• Death penalty

China has the death penalty for drug offences, and other serious crimes.

If you're sentenced to death, it's unlikely that Chinese authorities will grant you leniency.

Penalties for all types of drug offences including use, possession, manufacturing, selling or trafficking are severe and include life in prison or the death penalty.

Authorities strictly enforce these laws, even for small quantities of 'soft' drugs, such as marijuana. Laws apply to people aged 12 years and older.

Authorities conduct random drug tests. Police raids on nightclubs and bars frequented by foreigners have increased, with patrons subjected to urine and / or hair tests. A positive drug test can result in fines, detention and deportation, regardless of when or where the drugs were used.

Authorities have executed foreigners for drug offences.

• Carrying or using drugs

Legal proceedings and investigations

Authorities may not allow you to leave China if you're involved in a:

• criminal matter or investigation
• civil or commercial dispute

Sometimes people are only aware of an exit ban on them once they try to leave China.

Exit bans can affect you even if you're not directly involved in the legal proceedings. Authorities have stopped some Australians from leaving China because of a dispute involving family members. Sometimes it is years before authorities allow people to leave China.

If you're involved in local legal matters:

• get professional advice
• be aware of your rights and responsibilities

China has strict laws on national security, which it updates from time to time. These laws can be interpreted broadly and applied expansively and harshly. Chinese authorities may define certain behaviours and activities as endangering national security that would not be considered as such in Australia. This could include activities that occurred outside of China.

Authorities have detained foreigners on allegations of 'endangering national security'. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention or harsh enforcement of local laws, including broadly defined National Security Laws.

In China, it's illegal to:

• test positive for drugs (even if you used drugs before you arrived in China)
• demonstrate without prior approval from the government
• preach, distribute religious literature and associate with unapproved religious groups
• take part in any Falun Gong activities
• gamble or promote gambling activities
• engage in prostitution
• take photos of military or government buildings without official approval.

If you break these laws, you could be:

Registration and identification

Under Chinese law, you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau. You must do this within 24 hours of arriving and each time you change your residential location.

Staff do this as part of the standard check-in process if you stay at a hotel.

If you're staying elsewhere, such as with family or friends, visit the nearest police station. Present your passport and a valid Chinese visa.

You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask for it.

Authorities will accept your passport or a Chinese residence card as forms of identity.

If you don't register your place of residence or carry identification, authorities can fine or detain you.

Homosexuality is not illegal in China but be aware of local sensitivities.

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law
• Doing business in China

China has experienced higher numbers of commercial disputes involving Australians in recent years. 

Before starting business relationships:

• investigate the market
• conduct appropriate due diligence

Get professional legal advice before entering into any contract in China. This includes residential leases and business contracts.

Business versus criminal matters

Many business issues Australians consider civil or commercial are classified as criminal matters in China. This is especially the case if state enterprises or state assets are involved.

Penalties for commercial and economic crimes are often severe.

Cases of Australians and other foreigners being held against their will at their workplace have increased. These incidents involved other companies or employees trying to resolve business and employment disputes. They do this through protests, and often with threats of violence.

• Doing business
• Living or working overseas

Employment in China

Disputes over working and living conditions for Australians working in China are common. This is particularly the case for those teaching English.

If you’re considering travel to China for work:

• verify the true nature of the work on offer
• make sure you have the correct visa before you arrive

Authorities can fine or detain you if you don't maintain a valid visa.

Get professional legal advice before signing any contract in Australia or China.

Carefully check local laws about business or other activities you wish to undertake in China.

Employment contracts may contain conditions that disadvantage you. For example, if your contract is terminated early, conditions may state that:

• you give up your right to a return air ticket
• your employer may withhold your pay

Don't surrender your passport to your employer for 'safe-keeping.' Businesses with a good reputation won't ask you to do this.

Dual citizenship

The Chinese Government doesn't recognise dual nationality. It won't let us provide consular help to Chinese-Australian dual nationals who travel on their:

If you're a Chinese-Australian dual national:

• travel on your  Australian passport
• get a visa to China
• always present yourself as an Australian citizen

If you're a former Chinese citizen, Chinese authorities may:

• treat you as a Chinese citizen
• refuse you access to Australian consular services

This can happen even if you entered China on an Australian or other foreign passport and you:

• haven't renounced your citizenship according to Chinese law
• haven't formally advised the Chinese authorities of your Australian citizenship
• continue to maintain a Chinese passport or household registration

Authorities may not allow certain categories of Chinese citizens, such as state officials, to renounce their Chinese nationality under Chinese law.

Get professional legal advice if you're unsure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

If your child is born in China and you plan to get Australian citizenship by descent, contact the  Australian Department of Home Affairs  for advice.

If one parent is from mainland China, authorities will consider a child born in China to be a Chinese national.

Local authorities may not recognise the child's Australian citizenship and passport.

Contact the local Entry and Exit Administration Bureau for details.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Australians intending to travel to China should contact the nearest Chinese embassy/consulate to confirm visa  eligibility  and other travel requirements. 

China is gradually reintroducing visas on arrival, including transit visas. You may need a full visa to travel to China, even as a tourist.

If you need a full visa, you must get this before you travel.

See the  Embassy of the People's Republic of China  for eligibility requirements and visa types.

Foreigners holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion may be able to enter China without applying for new visas. Contact your nearest Chinese embassy/consulate to confirm your visa remains valid or to apply for a new visa.

If you're already travelling or living in China, contact the Foreigner's Entry and Exit Administration Section of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) for visa information.

Authorities will scan your fingerprints when you arrive if you're aged between 14 and 70 years.

Authorities have strict penalties for visa violations. Penalties include:

• fines imposed for each day overstayed, including if you’re in detention
• detention from 5 to 30 days

Make sure you leave China before your visa expires.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest  embassy or consulate of China  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border measures

You no longer require a negative COVID-19 test to enter China. 

China has implemented random COVID-19 testing for inbound travellers arriving at airports. Authorities have advised that no follow-up action would be taken if travellers test positive on arrival, but they may be advised to seek medical treatment.

Travel to Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions (SAR). They have separate visa and entry rules to mainland China.

If you plan to leave mainland China to visit Hong Kong or Macau, you may need a new Chinese visa to re-enter mainland China. Get the correct visa before you leave Australia.

You may be asked to present your previous passport and Chinese visa if you:

• intend to apply for a visa at the border of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, or Zhuhai and Macau, and
• you held a Chinese visa in a recently replaced passport

If you've visited China before, authorities may deny you a visa-on-arrival if you can't show your previous China visa.

Some visas issued in Hong Kong or at Hong Kong-Macau-Chinese mainland border crossings are valid for limited travel to designated areas only, such as:

• other areas in Guangdong Province

Using these permits to travel to other parts of China is illegal. Carefully check your visa limitations.

• Hong Kong travel advice
• Macau travel advice

Other formalities

If you’re a parent of a newborn baby born in China, you must register the child with the local Public Security Bureau. You must do this within 30 days of the child's birth and will require the child’s birth certificate for registration .

Apply for a Chinese visa in the child's passport. The child will need a valid visa to leave China.

For the registration process you need:

• the child's birth certificate
• parents' passports
• child's passport

For citizenship issues, see the 'Dual citizenship' section under  Laws .

Some countries will only let you enter if your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passports

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy, high commission or consulate .

If you get a new passport while in China, you must get a new Chinese visa. Otherwise, you won't be able to leave China.

Chinese authorities can take up to 10 working days to issue a visa. It can take longer during Chinese holiday periods.

Authorities won't speed up the process to meet your travel or flight schedule.

To replace your passport and visa:

• get an official report from the local police 
• get a replacement passport from the nearest  Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
• apply at the Foreigners Entry and Exit Administration Section of the local Public Security Bureau for a replacement Chinese visa in your new passport

You can use the police report when checking in to a hotel.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTI travellers

The currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB).

Chinese law limits the amount of foreign currency you can carry in and out of China.

If you're carrying more than $US5,000 cash or the same amount in another currency, you must declare it when you arrive in China.

Keep the declaration. You need to show it to customs officials when you leave.

If you plan to leave China carrying more than $US5,000 or the same amount in another currency, you need permission from a Chinese bank.

You can't leave China with more than $US10,000 or the same amount in foreign currency.

ATMs are widely available in major Chinese cities. They accept all major credit cards.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, especially in international hotels and restaurants.

In smaller cities, you may find it harder to use international cards.

Local travel

Authorities restrict travel by foreigners in China.

If you plan to travel outside major tourist areas, check that the area is 'open to foreigners'. For example, restrictions apply near military installations and some border areas.

Travel and living conditions vary greatly between cities and less developed rural areas.

In rural areas, you may have trouble accessing these services:

• landline phone
• mobile phone

Driving permit

All drivers must hold a valid Chinese driver's licence.

Foreign driver's licences and International Driving Permits (IDP) aren't valid in mainland China.

Long-term residents can apply for a Chinese driver's licence at their local Vehicle Management Office.

If you're going to China on a visa with less than 90 days validity, you may be able to get a provisional driver's licence. This will be valid for the length of your visa.

If you're hiring a car in China, check driving licence requirements with your car hire company.

Age and health restrictions apply and vary depending on the class of driver's licence.

Road travel

Travel by road is dangerous because of the following:

• poorly maintained roads
• aggressive driving

You're more likely to be killed in a car accident in China than in Australia.

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

To ride a motorcycle, you must hold a valid Chinese motorcycle licence.

Australian motorcycle licences and International Driving Permits (IDP) issued for motorcycles aren't valid in mainland China.

Rules for applying for a motorbike licence, including a provisional motorcycle licence, are similar to those for cars. Contact your local Vehicle Management Office.

You don't need a licence to ride an electric bike.

Check your insurance covers you for riding all types of motorised bikes.

Always wear a helmet.

Use only licensed taxis or limousine services with a good reputation, preferably those arranged through your hotel.

Always insist that the meter is used.

Most taxis in China don't have seatbelts.

Taxi drivers may swap legitimate RMB100 notes for fake notes. They will then return the fake note and refuse to accept it as payment because it’s counterfeit.

Ridesharing apps are widely used in major Chinese cities.

Public transport

Tour operators, public buses and ferries might not meet safety standards, especially in rural areas.

Transport operators may not:

• provide adequate safety equipment
• maintain vehicles and equipment
• have safety precautions in place

Always use available safety equipment, such as lifejackets or seatbelts.

If appropriate safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

• Transport and getting around safely
• Travelling by boat

Many airlines have temporarily reduced or stopped flights to China. Further travel restrictions can come into effect at short notice.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  China's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Contact your airline or travel agent for up-to-date information on domestic and international flights and transport options.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular services in China, contact the Australian Embassy in Beijing or our Consulates-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.

Check the relevant website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Australian Embassy, Beijing

21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 Phone: (+86 10) 5140 4111 Fax: (+86 10) 5140 4292 Website:  china.embassy.gov.au Social media:  WeChat ,  Twitter

Australian Consulate General, Chengdu

27th Floor, Square One 18 Dongyu Street, Jinjiang District Chengdu 610016  Phone: (+86 28) 6268 5200  Fax: (+86 28) 6268 5222 Email:  [email protected] Website:  chengdu.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate General, Guangzhou

12th Floor, Development Centre No. 3 Linjiang Road, Zhujiang New City Guangzhou 510623  Phone: (+86 20) 3814 0111  Fax: (+86 20) 3814 0112 Website:  guangzhou.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate General, Shanghai

Level 22, CITIC Square 1168 Nanjing Xi Lu Shanghai 200041  Phone: (+86 21) 2215 5200 Fax: (+86 21) 2215 5252 Website:  shanghai.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General, Shenyang

Level 19, China Resources Building, Tower A 286 Qingnian Avenue, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004 Phone: (+86 24) 8610 6100 Fax: (+86 24) 8163 0288 Email:  [email protected] Website:  shenyang.consulate.gov.au

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to China?

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Australia : Top Destination for Chinese Tourists

China is Australia’s fastest growing tourism market as well as its largest contributor to international visitor spending. By 2022 – 2023, the number of chinese visitors is expected to increase from USD685,000 to USD1.4 million, given that the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.

Chinese are continuing to travel all around the world, spending more and more money in shopping and entertainement. Chinese Tourists often join tour groups because they believe that they would experience fewer cultural and language barriers. High end tourists prefer hiring local guides or specialized agencies to help them to prepare their trip. In the upcoming years Australia is expected to get more and more Chinese tourists, of course with an increase in tourists comes along an increase in spending, 

Here are some interesting facts about chinese tourists in Australia :

• Chinese are the second-largest tourists for Australia, behind only New Zealand.
• Chinese travelers spend more when in Australia then they do in their country !

Australia is a top destination for chinese tourists, and their number has constantly been on the rise ever since 2012.

• 626,000 (2012)
• 646,779 (2013)

Australia’s political context and safety

Australia’s government system is based on the liberal democratic tradition, which includes religious tolerance and freedom of speech and association. It’s institutions and practices reflect British and North American models but are unique to Australia.

Australia is very safe to visit, major threats that Australia is known for are coming from dangerous flora and fauna species, reptiles, and natural disasters, and in many cases they can turn out to be deadly.

Coronavirus and Tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic is having damaging and long-lasting impacts on tourism in countries all the world, Australia is no excpetion.

For many years Australia’s tourism industry was a rapidly growing and represented an  important part of the national economy. It particularly benefited from a global surge in international  travel and the increased interst of Australians to explore their own country.

Covid-19 brought a sudden change to this strong economic growth, within months of the first reported cases, borders closed, airlines grounded passenger fleets, businesses went bankrupt and hotels went into hibernation. Demand reduced as travellers stopped and/or cancelled their travel plans.

At present the Tourism industry’s situation for international tourism is still quite severe, many australian markets are in recession and are gstruggling with having to deal with the pandemic. Australian borders are not expected to fully open until mid to late 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) does not expect international travel to return to its previous levels before 2024.

However it is important to keep in mind that even if the Tourism/Hospitality situation seems kind of bleak at this moment, as more and more people get vaccinated the industry will inevitably return to its previous level.

What do Chinese Travelers Like about Australia?

C hinese travelers are attracted by Australia because of :

#1 Amazing flora and fauna endemic to Australia.

#2 Clear blue sky and clean air (that they can not have in their country).

#3 They like to having the same time zone as China & the general proximity to Asia.

#4 Fresh seafood : chinese tourists particularly enjoy seafood and fresh local products, such as australian wine.

#5 Relaxed lifestyle and wide natural outdoors.

#6 They appreciate Australians citizens, as they are friendly, easy-going, and warm.

#7 Diversity of landscape, desert, mountains…and of course the natural wonders that Australia has to offer, including the Pinnacles, Wave Rock, Ningaloo Reef, Uluru and so many more !

What do Chinese like in Australia?

The majority of Chinese tourists are interested in the history & culture of Australia, including “Indigenous”. Chinese travelers would like to be engaged in many different activities: Casinos, golf, cruise shipping, crabbing, sand-boarding, swimming with whale, sharks, and dolphins. They also appreciate watching a sunset on the Indian Ocean. Most Chinese love taking pictures of landscapes, or local people. They would like to show their experiences with their circle when they come back to their country.

When in Australia chinese tourists like to do a lot of shopping, they usually have done their research online for popular local products (lanolin cream, emu oil, fish oil, formula baby milk powder, UGG boots, abalone, and organic skin care products and vitamins)  to buy during their trip. For high-end Chinese travelers, they may spend time shopping for Argyle diamonds, pearls and gold. Chinese travelers normally purchase large quantities of products as gifts for their friends and family. Gambling is also an activity that chinese travelers like to partake in.

Always include shopping excursions and a brief stop to a local supermarket in the itineraries, even with a tight schedule.

Preparation

Chinese already know where they will go and what they will purchase before their trip. Most of them search online information in mandarin on Forums, local search Engine(Baidu), or social networks sites like Weibo. Even during their trip, they prefer not to modify the itinerary. Usually, they will enjoy free time for shopping

How to attract Chinese Tourists?

We are an online agency, and most of our customers are in the tourism industry.

A website in Chinese

According to the introduction from  C-trip(online leader for traveling), most Chinese make decisions depending on the information online (in Chinese). Please check these figures:

• Over 50% of the travelers from China will compare the information from 2 websites;
• 18% of them compare information from 3 websites;
• 9% of the tourists would even check 4 websites.

So a company without a website will probably be running behind the ones with web sites.

What’s also important is to show your website to a vast amount of Chinese tourists. The most popular solution is using SEO and SEM. A website without a visitor is not really useful. SEO, search engine optimization should be done on Baidu and other Chinese Search Engines like 360 or Sogou.

To attract visitors and potential customers we advise you to use our methodology. More information here

Social networks

Social Networking sites(SNS) has become an important social phenomenon in China, and a large part of the population use Weibo, to get more information about their destination. 70% of Chinese netizens have a Weibo (microblog: a mix between Facebook and Twitter). Open an account is the first step, but after this, managing the content, attracting visitors and animating the community is the more important for your online Marketing.

The benefits of promoting your services on social media are that you can :

• Reach your target precisely
• Build a community around your services/products and get feedback.
• Creating a more social company image, connected with locals customers;
• People are accepting information from SNS more easily

Example of a need to improve Weibo: STA Travel Australia with their Weibo

• 8000 fans, but 0 interactivity
• More of their post link to a website in English
• Design of the Account can be personalized

Example of an attractive Weibo: Mafengwo

• A huge number of fans, good interactivity
• Interaction with KOL (key opinion leaders)
• Gallery of Photos
• Mini traveling video

OUR CASE STUDY

My Next Memory

Memories Travel 

Do you need a partner for launching your traveling business in China? Contact us!

We help companies wishing to sell on the Chinese market. We are specialists in:

E-REPUTATION : Primordial before launching, we work together on your unique selling point, then on the social networks and with the help of PR, we make sure that your image on the networks is totally clean and reliable for the Chinese users.

SEO : Search Engine Optimization of your website will be essential, our team of specialists will take care of your e-reputation, the management of your social networks while setting up an SEO / SEM campaign allowing you to gain places in the ranking of the Baidu Chinese search engine.

LEAD GENERATION : Our teams are professionals in lead generation. To optimize it, your e-reputation must be irreproachable. Investing in online advertising and creating quality content will help you develop your e-reputation. Finally, the evaluation of the results will be important to guide us in the next stages of your development.

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS : Website creation, development and audit; social media marketing (including WeChat & Weibo); PR; monthly reports and analyzes by our team of experts.

Chinese travel agents said Australia remained an attractive destination for tourists during last week’s National Day holiday. China is now Australia’s largest source market for travel , how Small Business can be competitive in Australia?

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

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China wins WTO dispute with Australia over steel products

FILE - A coal train travels through the Hunter Valley near Muswellbrook, Australia, Nov. 2, 2021. China has won its near three-year World Trade Organisation dispute with Australia on Tuesday, March 27, 2024, over tariffs on steel products that began during the nadir of the bilateral relationship between the countries. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

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SYDNEY (AP) — China has won a nearly three-year-long dispute with Australia at the World Trade Organization over tariffs on steel products that began during a low point of bilateral relations between the countries, and Australia’s trade minister said Wednesday his government accepted the ruling.

Beijing took its complaint to the WTO in June 2021 over Australia’s extra duties on railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks imported from China. Trade in these products was worth 62 million Australian dollars ($40.4 million) in 2022.

On Tuesday, the WTO panel adjudicating the case in Geneva, Switzerland, found that Australia’s investigating authority, the Anti-Dumping Commission, had acted inconsistently with some articles of the anti-dumping agreement.

Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell said in a statement Wednesday that Canberra accepted the WTO’s ruling and supported a rules-based trading system.

“Australia will engage with China and take steps to implement the panel’s findings,” Farrell said.

“Australia remains committed to a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system so that the rights and obligations of all WTO members can be enforced,” he added.

Trade tariffs have been a hot topic between Beijing and Canberra in recent years after China imposed a raft of sanctions on Australian goods in 2020 during the most recent nadir in the bilateral relationship. It is estimated that the tariffs cost the Australian economy 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion).

Most of the tariffs have since been lifted as the relationship thawed , but tariffs on wine, rock lobster and some abattoirs still remain.

In April, Australia suspended a complaint to the WTO in a bid to reopen the Chinese market to Australian barley , which had been one of the products targeted by the tariffs and was widely seen as the new Australian government’s attempts to repair relations with Beijing.

The Australian government has also halted another WTO dispute against China over sanctions on Australian wine worth about 1.1 billion Australian dollars ($720 million) in exchange for a review by China to be completed by the end of March.

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International Edition

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Australian winemakers hail axing of Chinese tariffs, but warn it's no quick fix for struggling industry

Wine producers across the country have welcomed an end to China's duties on Australian wine.

China made the announcement on Thursday , with the heavy tariffs ending on Friday.

Wine Australia chief executive Martin Cole said he expected Australian wine would quickly be getting into China.

"I think we've been waiting with bated breath for quite a while, but absolutely great to have that confirmed," he said.

"Some businesses have been preparing to go into the market from Hong Kong so I think things will start flowing pretty quickly.

"It'll take some time to rebuild the pipeline, there's some additional requirements I think in terms of the need for self-registration, et cetera, so we've updated our export guide."

Mr Cole said the introduction of duties caused the loss of 30 per cent of the sector's export business virtually overnight.

"We had something like 20 per cent of the share of imported wine into China, which was worth $1.2 billion.

"It really was about premium red wine so that's made a huge impact on our business.

"On top of that, think of COVID, think of inflation and all of the usual things that you deal with in an agricultural sector, so it's been a really tough time."

But Dr Cole warned that while China was a very important market, it was currently a fraction of what it was.

"The imported wine market's down to about a third of what it was.

"There is a downturn in the economy, so that's certainly part of it.

"I think also in terms of reopening of the economy there, reopening of tourism and the on-premise businesses as well will be part of that.

"We are seeing that in other markets as well, similar sort of trends."

Dr Cole said, however, that the sentiment for Australian wine remained very strong.

'The most difficult stage in my career'

South Australia is the nation's biggest wine-producing state, and local producers have cautiously welcomed Beijing's decision.

The state's wine exports to China peaked in October 2020 — a month before the tariffs were introduced — at $946 million, which made up almost half of SA's global wine exports, according to the state government.

By January 2024, they were valued at a mere $2.8 million.

Owner of Taylor Wines in SA's Clare Valley, Mitch Taylor, welcomed China's decision.

"This opportunity will mean a lot for our family business to now re-engage with the opportunities that China presents," he said.

"It's probably been the most difficult stage in my career [the tariffs], since working in the family business for 30 years."

The tariffs have forced many Australian producers to re-evaluate their export strategies.

"We will look at the whole region and not try to specialise too much in the Chinese market," Mr Taylor said.

"A lot of hard work [has been done] there in the past, so it will be good to try and rebuild those relationships in the market.

"We will build up trust, but saying that we will [also] be looking to another markets … to make sure we've got a good spread of our wines in all the key Asian markets."

No quick fix 

In SA's Riverland region, some producers have been getting paid 1970s rates amid a glut of red wine, with growers being offered as little as $120 a tonne.

To put that in perspective, production costs are estimated to be about $300 a tonne.

Riverland grape grower and entrepreneur, Yianni Koutouzis, who owns Sixty Eight Roses, said he and other growers were facing financial stress and uncertain futures in the industry.

He said the removal of the tariffs would not be an immediate fix.

"It's a crisis at the moment in the Riverland, it's a very, very serious matter, and it's something that needs to get addressed pretty quickly, and hopefully this will give some sort of relief for us."

Calls to expand export markets

WA winery Ferngrove — which is majority Chinese owned — said it was also hit hard by the tariffs.

"We had to refocus, and put a lot more effort back into domestic markets, a lot more focus back into our direct-to-consumer business, and continue with our export markets in the UK and Asia," managing director Andrew Blythe said.

Mr Blythe agreed that wine exports to China would fail to reach the same heights as the pre-tariff era in the near future.

"The economic landscape in in China has certainly changed a lot over the last three, four years," he said.

"So we certainly won't be going anywhere near the same volume to where we were shipping before.

"We're kind of aiming for around 30 or 40 per cent of what it used to be."

Mr Blythe also said he believed the industry needed to learn from the saga of the last few years, and broaden its markets.

"A lot of those South-East Asian markets, I would certainly be focusing on them," he said.

"There's low, low hanging fruit in those markets."

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Russia and Kazakhstan evacuate tens of thousands amid worst floods in decades

Kremlin official warns of more difficult days ahead after towns and cities overwhelmed by major rivers swollen by snowmelt

Russia and Kazakhstan have ordered more than 100,000 people to evacuate after swiftly melting snow swelled rivers beyond bursting point in the worst flooding in the area for at least 70 years.

The deluge of meltwater overwhelmed many settlements in the Ural mountains, Siberia and areas of Kazakhstan close to rivers such as the Ural and Tobol, which local officials said had risen by metres in a matter of hours to the highest levels ever recorded.

The Ural, Europe’s third-largest river, which flows through Russia and Kazakhstan into the Caspian, burst through an embankment dam on Friday , flooding the city of Orsk, south of the Ural mountains.

Water levels downstream in Orenburg, a city of about 550,000, were rising.

Sirens in Kurgan, a city on the Tobol, a tributary of the Irtysh, warned people to evacuate immediately. An emergency was also declared in Tyumen, a major oil-producing region of Western Siberia, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world.

“The difficult days are still ahead for the Kurgan and Tyumen regions,” the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “There is a lot of water coming.“

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, spoke to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, where more than 86,000 people have been evacuated owing to flooding. Tokayev said the flooding was probably the worst in 80 years.

The most severely hit areas are Atyrau, Aktobe, Akmola, Kostanai, Eastern Kazakhstan, Northern Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions, most of which border Russia and are crossed by rivers originating in Russia such as the Ural and the Tobol.

In Russia, anger boiled over in Orsk when at least 100 Russians implored the Kremlin to help and chanted “shame on you” at local officials who they said had done too little.

The Kremlin said Putin was getting updated constantly on the situation but that he had no immediate plans to visit the flood zone as local and emergency officials were doing their best to cope with the deluge.

In Kurgan, a region with about 800,000 people, drone footage showed traditional Russian wooden houses and the golden cupolas of Russian Orthodox churches stranded among a vast expanse of water.

In Orenburg, a city of more than half a million, people paddled along roads as if they were rivers. Dams and embankments were being strengthened as the Ural rose to nearly 10 metres high.

Russian officials have said some people ignored calls to evacuate. The Kurgan governor, Vadim Shumkov, urged residents to take the warnings seriously.

“We understand you very well. It is hard to leave your possessions and move somewhere at the call of the local authorities,” Shumkov said. “It’s better that we laugh at the hydrologists together later and praise God for the miracle of our common salvation. But let’s do it alive.“

In Kurgan, water levels were rising in the Tobol and Russia said 19,000 people were at risk in the region.

Rising water was also forecast in Siberia’s Ishim River, also a tributary of the Irtysh, which along with its parent, the Ob, forms the world’s seventh-longest river system.

It was not immediately clear why this year’s floods were so bad as the snowmelt is an annual event in Russia. Scientists say climate change has made flooding more frequent worldwide.

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