Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is visiting China in an effort to cement the relationship with the state's largest trading partner.
Mr Andrews flies out on Sunday for a week, visiting Beijing, Nanjing and Chengdu.
He is expected to consult the Chinese government on Victoria's new China Strategy that will attract increased investment and boost trade between the two countries.
It's the first of many anticipated trips for Mr Andrews who says he will visit the country every year and every member of his cabinet will also make the trip between now and 2018.
He scoffed at suggestions that the visits would be a waste of taxpayers' money, saying the relationship between the two countries was vital for the prosperity of the state.
"Successful engagement with the China market is critical to the Victorian economy," Mr Andrews told reporters on Sunday.
"It is our largest trading partner and is integral to our visitor economy with over 400,000 Chinese tourists in our state every year."
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