Australian businesses expressed their readiness to explore supply chain cooperation opportunities at the upcoming fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), as Australia is taking on the role of the guest country of honor.

Representatives from Australian enterprises, organizations, and industry bodies gathered at a CISCE roadshow held in Sydney on Thursday, a day after both the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) revealed that the Australian government has accepted the invitation to serve as the guest country of honor at the fourth CISCE.

"The Australia-China supply chain is strong. Our job now is to keep it strong by communicating openly, by enhancing trust and looking for practical opportunities to work together. If we do that, we won't just manage global uncertainty, we will turn it into a shared opportunity," said Arnold Jorge, chief executive officer of the Export Council of Australia.

James Huey, managing director of China Westbridge Advisory Services, attended the previous CISCE and is set to return for the upcoming edition. He believes the expo is "a must" for Australian businesses to attend because it offers a lot of opportunities to do business with Chinese companies.

Led by the Smart Energy Council, the Australian delegation will showcase the country's strengths in the smart and clean energy sectors, along with innovative technologies and sustainable solutions in areas such as smart agriculture, healthcare, and services, said Austrade in a statement released on Wednesday.

"We look forward to bringing our members to talk to Chinese colleagues and also engaging with our Chinese friends," said David McElrea, chief advocacy officer of Smart Energy Council, in a speech at the roadshow.

"There is a strong demand in Australia for renewable energy and for the materials that we get from China. And that's why it's so important for Australian businesses, particularly in the clean energy sector, to participate in a roadshow like this one," he said.

Hosted by CCPIT, the CISCE is the world's first national-level expo dedicated to supply chains. The fourth CISCE will take place in Beijing from July 22 to 26, with all preparatory work proceeding as planned.