Water Expo China Organises its first Chinese Water Industry Delegation to Australia

Water Expo China, China’s most important and comprehensive meeting platform for the water industry, arranged its first Chinese water industry delegation to Australia in May 2014.

The 15-member Chinese delegation from 11 member companies of the Shanghai Water Engineering Association, represented many industry fields including water utility administration, construction, management, mechanism, water way, verdurisation and planning.

Commenting on the delegation and representing Water Expo China, Mr Jason Cao, Senior General Manager for Messe Frankfurt (HK) Co Ltd explained that last year the Australian government had organised a large exhibitor delegation to attend Water Expo China. “This was hugely successful for the participating Australian companies and as a direct result, many are now doing business in China,” Mr Cao said. “Messe Frankfurt offers unique value to companies, associations and other industry players connected with Water Expo China. We can serve them through our huge national and international network and resources which offers access to foreign embassies, chambers of commerce, industry associations, experts and consultants, construction companies and water project contacts, as well as downstream industrial matches. Few show organisers can offer this. Using our connections, we arranged our first ever delegation to Australia for the Shanghai Water Engineering Association. It was a unique opportunity for them to gain an invaluable experience and insight into Australia’s conservation and utilisation of water resources. We were pleased to know that the delegation was satisfied with their visit and this is encouraging us to do similar activities in the future.”

Mr Boshen Chen, Chairman of the Shanghai Water Engineering Association added: “It was a truly significant and memorable experience in Australia. The delegation tour showed us the latest Australian opinions and technologies for new water planning, management, construction and mechanism. In addition, we understood more about Australia’s current water resource management conditions and technical merit, and this has widened our vision and thought to water construction and management in China.”

While in Australia, the delegation attended the Ozwater’14 trade show in Brisbane, Queensland, communicating with and visiting local companies to view their latest technologies and equipment, and to find co-operation possibilities.

The delegation also travelled to the state of Victoria for an industry orientation event organised by the Victorian state government.  The welcome speech was given by Mr Bob Herbert AM, Water Supplier Advocate for the Department of Industry, Austrade. The Hon Peter Walsh, the Victorian Minister for Water added: “The Australian delegation to China last year was very successful, especially its participation at the Water Expo China exhibition in Beijing. All Australian delegates were impressed and many of them are already involved in business cooperation with China. We welcome the Chinese delegation so we can know more about each other and cooperate together.” During the orientation event the delegation met with many water industry organisations and companies including the Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Water Sensitive Cities, the Office of Living Victoria, IOTA / South East Water and Tenix.

Site visits were organised to Melbourne’s Royal Park Stormwater Harvesting Project, one of Australia’s most successful rainwater harvesting projects. It is part of Melbourne’s vision of a “City as a Catchment”, to create resilient water management solutions which protect against the effects of drought and population growth, while at the same time reducing the impact of stormwater on waterways and improving the ecological health of the surrounding areas.  The delegation was welcomed by Dr Ralf Pfleiderer, President of Stormwater Victoria and the Water Sensitive Urban Design Co-ordinator for the City of Melbourne.

The Chinese delegation was also impressed by the NEWwater production process at the Yarra Park underground recycled water treatment plant, next to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The plant is able to produce Class A recycled water to irrigate Yarra Park and a nearby sports field, as well as for cleaning and toilet-flushing at the MCG.

The delegation’s business matchmaking activity took place with Rubicon Water, one of Australia’s largest water irrigation companies which has exhibited twice at Water Expo China. The delegation viewed the Total Channel Control system which is the company’s flagship water infrastructure management solution. Ms Sophia Zhao, Rubicon Water’s Marketing Officer commented: “We were delighted to be chosen as the company to meet the delegation through our connection with Water Expo China.”

Water Expo China is approved by China’s Ministry of Commerce and organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society.  This year’s show offers 55 forum and conference sessions and is expected to attract 500 exhibitors from over 25 countries and regions, 35,000 visitors from more than 40 countries, as well as 50 international and domestic buyer delegations.