Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to visit Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong

Details

Created on Monday, 14 October 2013 15:32

Written by Editorial staff

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will be visiting Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong this week to discuss new areas for strategic and economic relations.

She plans to meet with individuals from all walks of life, including students, academics and business owners, to explore how Australia can enhance its ties with Asia and "capitalise on the study and internship opportunities to be offered under the New Colombo Plan".

For those migration agents that are not familiar with the New Colombo Plan, it is basically an agreement that allows the "best and brightest" of Australia to study in the Asia-Pacific.

It will provide successful applicants under the age of 22 with full scholarships to undertake one or two semesters' worth of study in this exciting region.

The New Colombo Plan won't be a one-way street, though - the government hopes to encourage top-performing students from the Asia-Pacific to attend university in Australia, and is committing $100 million over the next five years to see this happen.

The government announced it would launch the New Colombo Plan in 2015, with a pilot program set to begin next year, which should include Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

Ms Bishop's visit to the latter two locations this week should hopefully see the pilot program launched successfully in 2014.

While in Japan, Ms Bishop also plans to meet with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and discuss what can be done to ensure this country's long-standing partnership with Australia continues to blossom.

She explained that Australia's relationship with Japan is "underpinned by shared values and common interests". These include a commitment to democracy, law and regional prosperity.

Ms Bishop's visits to South Korea and Hong Kong later in the week will focus on Australia's trade relations and agreements with these two regions.

She explained in an October 11 statement that South Korea is one of Australia's key strategic partners in Asia, a fellow member of the United Nations Security Council and "our third-largest export market".

It is therefore, as migration agents in Australia will no doubt agree, in our country's best interest to secure ties with South Korea.

Finally, Ms Bishop will also meet with Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So. In doing so, she hopes to reinforce Hong Kong's importance as an economic partner.

The Foreign Minister is planning another trip to China later this year. It will be her first official trip to the country.