Australian wine exports show steep decline

Bad news all round for the struggling Australian wine industry.

Australian wine exports declined by 7% in value to $2.30 billion and 6% in volume to 598 million litres in the year ended June 2026, Wine Australia’s latest Export Report released today shows.

This is the first time that export volume has fallen below 600 million litres since 2004.

The decline mirrors a broader global trend of declining wine consumption over the past decade.

The total export figures reflect increasingly difficult trading conditions across many of Australia’s key export markets, driven by a historic downturn in global wine consumption.

Worldwide wine consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1961, as consumers increasingly moderate alcohol intake, face cost-of-living pressures and shift towards alternative beverages.

Wine Australia manager for market insights Peter Bailey said the challenges facing Australian wine exporters were not unique, with other wine-producing nations facing the same conditions.

“Data from multiple sources suggests the decline in wine consumption globally is more than a short-term downturn - it's a reflection of changing consumer behaviour that is reshaping demand around the world.

"This reinforces the importance of understanding where demand exists and the products and occasions that are driving consumer decisions.

“While global trading conditions remain challenging, Australia wine continues to perform relatively well in many key markets where it generally maintained or grew its share of imported wine over the past year.”

The decline was driven primarily by weaker demand in Australia's three largest export markets: mainland China, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mainland China remained Australia's largest export market by value, despite exports falling 15% to $756 million as the initial post-tariff recovery and restocking phase came to an end.

“While exports to mainland China declined over the past year, Australia remains the leading source of imported wine in the market,” Bailey said.

“The market is no longer being driven by the re-stocking of Australian wine, rather we’re seeing a more mature and demand-led phase, reflecting a smaller and slower-growing Chinese wine market than existed prior to the imposition of tariffs in late 2020.”

The United Kingdom remained Australia's largest market by volume and the United States second, although export volume to both markets fell to their lowest level in 25 years.

Canada was a standout performer, with export value increasing 20% to $188 million - its highest level in seven years - and volume rising 13%.

Penfolds unveils new collection from four corners of the globe

 

The invitations drop in late April. Hardly anyone declines. 

The Penfolds Collection 2026 Preview Tasting is one of the major wine tastings of the year. 

But attendees, brilliantly looked after, have certain rules that must be followed. 

Tastings are conducted by chief winemaker Peter Gago (below) and his team around the world. 

Australian trade media, journalists and educators tasted in Adelaide in June - at EOS by Sky City and then at Magill Estate. 

Others sniffed, sipped and spat in London, New York and Paris. The wines will be released on August 6. 

All of us who attended the tastings were all sworn to secrecy. No tasting notes to be published until today’s deadline. No sneaky social media bottle images.  

Everyone has had time to consider their notes - and thoughts. The 99s and 98s will flow freely today. Probably a 100 or two. 

What struck me most about the tasting was the way the Penfolds style is now reflected across a global range of wines: from the US to France and China. 

The bold and rich Bordeaux-style 2023 FWT (French Winemaking Trial) 585 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot shines, while the immediately approachable 2024 CWT (Chinese Winemaking Trial) Bin 521, a blend of cabernet and marselan, is absolutely outstanding and a tribute to the winemaking skills across the team.

“No longer a novelty, no fancy wordsmithing – all of these wines are unmistakably Penfolds, sourced from different hemispheres,” says Gago.

This year’s domestic release is anchored by the 75th Anniversary of Grange, with the outstanding 2022 released this year - as usual as a wine with four years of bottle age.

“The 2022 Grange assuredly authenticates its flagship role and 75th anniversary credentials," says Gago. "No pressure. Both timely and lucky - to avail such a stellar vintage in such a symbolic year.”

Marking three-quarters of a century since its first experimental vintage in 1951, the anniversary release pays tribute to Grange’s evolution from an experimental wine crafted by Penfolds maiden chief
winemaker, Max Schubert, to a global icon.

 


We lucky invitees were also able to taste several back vintages of Grange, all with that unmistakable line of quality. The imperious new release comprises 85% Barossa fruit, aided by McLaren Vale and Coonawarra material.  

Inky, rich, sumptuous. Take your pick of adjectives.

For those who do not have a grand to drop on a bottle, I can recommend the fulsome and inviting 2024 Magill Estate Shiraz and the brilliant 2023 St Henri Shiraz. 

The other stars of the release include brilliantly balanced cabernet sauvignons. The complex and fine 2024 Penfolds Bin 707 and its younger sibling Bin 407 - a definite cellar prospect - serve as outstanding examples of multi-regional South Australian blends.

For chardonnay lovers Yattarna and Bin 311, both from 2024, are both wines of purity and definition, while the 2025 Bin 23 Pinot Noir is arguably the best release of that wine yet.

"Nothing stands still," Gago says. Yet through thick and thin, across the years, these Collection wines stand tall." 

 

He's right.  

Discover Shanghai's new cultural landmark

Shanghai is preparing to unveil one of the world’s most ambitious new cultural landmarks with the Shanghai Grand Opera House to officially opens its doors on October 17, 2026.

Designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta in partnership with the East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), the striking waterfront venue is expected to become a centerpiece of Shanghai’s cultural tourism offering and a new architectural icon along the Huangpu River, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The opening marks the culmination of a decade-long project that began when Snøhetta won an international design competition in 2016.

The opera house has been conceived as much more than a performance venue. It combines world-class performing arts facilities with expansive public spaces, creating a civic destination that welcomes visitors throughout the year, whether or not they are attending a show.

At the heart of the building are three state-of-the-art auditoriums designed to accommodate productions of varying sizes and genres. 

The main auditorium seats 2,000 guests and is equipped to host grand opera, ballet, musicals and symphony concerts. It is complemented by a flexible 1,200-seat theatre and a 1,000-seat venue for experimental performances, chamber music and community events.

One of the building’s defining features is its dramatic spiral roof, which rises from the surrounding park to create a publicly accessible promenade. It will be open 24 hours a day year-round, so visitors can walk to the rooftop for sweeping views of the Huangpu River. 

A diverse program is expected to showcase opera, ballet, orchestral music, theatre and contemporary performing arts, with additional details to be announced closer to opening.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see this remarkable project approaching its opening,” said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Snøhetta.

“Watching such an ambitious vision become reality has been special. Soon, the building will belong to the people of Shanghai and its visitors, whether they come to experience a performance or simply enjoy the building and its surrounding park. I hope it will become a place that inspires, brings people together, and stands as a new landmark for the city.“

Coming soon: The world's first robot-operated hotel

The future is now.

In China, Pudu Robotics, a leader in commercial service robotics, and Shenzhen Culture & Tourism Industry Development Co. Ltd have officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop the world’s first full-scenario robot-serviced hotel on the West Artificial Island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. 

 The island is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in China, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is widely recognised as one of the world’s most complex cross-sea transportation systems, combining bridges, tunnels, artificial islands, and underwater interchanges into a single engineering marvel.

The plan is to transform West Artificial Island showcase for artificial intelligence, robotics and smart tourism. 

As a strategic gateway connecting key cities across the Greater Bay Area, the West Artificial Island provides a platform to showcase next-generation technologies to visitors from around the world.

Unlike hotels where robots simply assist employees, the project aims to automate virtually every guest-facing and operational task. 

Service robots already deliver amenities in many hotels across Shenzhen and other major cities, while some properties have introduced humanoid robots at reception desks. This, however, will be the world’s first hotel designed from the outset to operate entirely without human staff.

The 44-room hotel is scheduled to open in 2027, although visitors will be able to experience the concept earlier. Pilot operations are expected to begin in late 2026, with a limited number of rooms available for public testing.

Designed as a next-generation hospitality destination, the hotel will integrate robots across every major service scenario, including guest reception, room delivery, cleaning, food service, and guest support. 

Powered by embodied AI and multi-robot collaboration, the project represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive deployments of robotics in a real-world hospitality environment.

The company says its AI platform, powered by its proprietary PuduFM 1.0 foundation model and PuduAgent operating system, will coordinate all robotic services through a shared intelligence network. 

Different robot models will perform specialised tasks while communicating with one another.

Among them, FlashBot will deliver drinks and snacks ordered via smartphone, the T300 robot will transport luggage to guest rooms, while the CC1 Pro and MT1 autonomous cleaning robots will maintain the property using AI-powered waste detection and adaptive cleaning technology.

The hotel itself will be the first phase of a broader smart tourism initiative. 

Over the coming four years, robotics and AI services are expected to expand across West Artificial Island, supporting attractions, restaurants and visitor facilities. 

It will be fascinating to see guest reactions. 

China set to become the world’s leading travel economy

China is on track to become the world’s leading T&T economy in the coming years if current trends continue.

New 2026 Economic Impact Research (EIR) data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the Asian nation is emerging not only as the standout performer in the Asia-Pacific region, but also as a leader for how long-term investment in infrastructure can drive high-impact tourism growth at scale.

In 2025, China welcomed more than 68 million international visitors, marking a 15.5% year-on-year increase, nearly three times the global growth rate of 5.4%. 

International visitor spending rose by 10.5% to $135 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and significantly out-performing the global average growth of 3.2%. 

The country recorded an additional 9 million arrivals compared to 2024, representing the largest increase globally.

The recovery is being driven by a combination of progressive policy reforms and technological innovation, supported by the strong strategic vision of the government positioning travel and tourism as a key pillar of national economic growth, the WTTC says. 

Expanded visa facilitation measures now cover more than 50 countries, offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days and extended transit stays of up to 10 days. Since 2020, arrivals from visa-exempt markets have increased fivefold, including an additional 18% growth in 2025 alone.

Investment in air connectivity and high-speed rail infrastructure is further strengthening accessibility, improving connections between major international gateways and secondary cities, and supporting a more balanced distribution of tourism flows across the country.

“China’s recovery shows how targeted policy reforms can translate directly into stronger inbound demand and sustained growth," says Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC. 

"Continued progress in visa facilitation will be essential to sustaining this momentum. This approach, over time, could position China to become the world’s leading travel and tourism [destination] if they continue with this path.”

See wttc.org

Image: Shanghai, The Bund.

Where Jackie Chan would like you to go on holiday

Jackie Chan wants you to consider Guilin in China for your you next holiday.

The martial artist and movie star is spruiking the nature, heritage and cultural immersion destination as part of his ambassador role with Trip.com.

Guilin, formerly known as Kweilin, is a prefecture-level city in the north-east of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is situated on the west bank of the Li River and borders Hunan to the north.

It is currently a boom vacation location with international flight bookings to Guilin growing 75% year-on-year in Q1 2026, ranking it among the fastest-growing cities in China among global travellers, Trip.com reported. 

The online travel business highlighted the city's growing appeal at its recent "Guilin Night" event, which brought together more than 3,500 international guests from 78 countries and regions, all keen to join actor Chan, the group's global ambassador for China travel.

Guilin is known for its mist-covered karst mountains, winding rivers like the River Li (above) and impressive scenery, as well as being home to diverse ethnic groups.

"Guilin reminds me that travel is not only about seeing famous sights, but about connecting with the culture of a destination," Chan said.

"The mountains, the rivers, the atmosphere, it feels like walking inside a Chinese painting. But what makes it stand out is that it slows you down in the best way.

In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, life can move very fast, but Guilin shows another side of China that allows you to be more present.

"The Li River is the soul of Guilin. You can sit quietly on the boat and just look around you. The scenery changes every minute."

There are river cruises between Guilin and Yangshuo, which are tourist drawcards, along with the Longji Rice Terraces (below).



Trip.com promotes Guilin as a place to "pause and connect with nature".

Find out more at Trip.com or check out https://visitguilin.org/

Batik Air adds flights to Shanghai and Sydney

Batik Air has this week announced introduction of new direct services to two of its key global markets:  China and Australia. 

The introduction of a Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai service, commencing on June 23, marks a milestone in Batik Air’s network expansion into China, complementing its existing services to Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. 

The route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, further reinforcing connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and one of the Asia-Pacific region’s key economic and tourism centres.

Batik Air will introduce of a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service commencing July 1, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. 

The Malaysian carrier currently serves Australia through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney via Denpasar, alongside 14 weekly direct Kuala Lumpur–Perth flights. 

The new non-stop Sydney service will operate seven times weekly. 

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the introduction of both routes reflects the airline’s continued commitment to building a resilient, demand-driven network while maintaining a measured outlook amid an evolving global environment.

“Batik Air continues to align its network with sustained market demand, and the addition of Shanghai and Sydney strengthens two of our most important international corridors,” he said. 

“These routes support tourism and business travel while enhancing overall connectivity between Malaysia and key global markets.”

Shanghai pulling in the crowds

Shanghai is fast rebounding as a major tourism destination. 

The Chinese city received 9.3602 million inbound visitors over 2025, cementing its position as a leading gateway for international travellers visiting China.

Data released this week by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism showed inbound arrivals climbed 39.58% year-over-year with momentum accelerating toward year end.

December alone saw 1.0777 million inbound visits, up 45.56% from the same period a year earlier.

Overnight stays accounted for the largest share of inbound travel. 

Arrivals from South Korea more than doubled to 909,100, a rise of 103.62% from a year earlier, while visitor numbers from Russia increased significantly, with December arrivals jumping 93.58%. 

Thailand, Indonesia and Italy all recorded annual increases of over 50%.

Traditional source markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia maintained steady momentum, each posting growth of more than 30%. 

Thanks to visa-free policies and Shanghai's many attractions, boutique hotels reported robust performance. 

International travellers accounted for 66% of guests at the Yangtze Boutique Shanghai, with Europeans making up the largest group. 

Five-star hotels, representing the high-end segment, delivered particularly strong results. Occupancy reached 70.71% in December, up 4.45 percentage points from a year earlier. 

Image: Dubai tourists in Shanghai. Image: Yang Yuhong/Xinmin Evening News

French wine and spirits export volumes and values plunge

French wine and spirits exports have plunged to their lowest volume in at least 25 years, with demand damaged by trade tensions with both China and the US.

Sales were impacted by US tariffs and Chinese duties, with a strong Euro also making alcohol more expensive, industry body Federation des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (FEVS) said.

Total French wine and spirits exports dipped by 3% in volume in 2025 to 168 million cases, FEVS announced. Exports dipped by 8% in value to a five-year low of €14.3bn, with US and tariffs and Chinese duties hurting demand, trade publications drinks business reported. 

Traditionally, wine and spirits has been France’s second-largest export sector. It now trails behind aerospace and cosmetics.

FEVS chair Gabriel Picard said the sector would likely benefit from new EU trade agreements with India and the Mercosur bloc. But he warned the industry could continue to see difficulties in 2026 without improved market access.

In 2025, sales dropped almost a quarter (21%) to €3 billion, with volumes plummeting below 30 million cases. 

“There is a real decline in the United States and the volume correction may not have been sufficient, and perhaps we will see another volume correction in 2026,” Picard told Reuters news agency.

Cognac - France’s flagship spirit - saw sales dipping 15% in volume and 24% in value in 2025.

“Geopolitical tensions between France and China marked the end of cognac in China," Picard said. "Now stopping something doesn’t take long, but rebuilding takes a long time.” 

On the plus side, within Europe, wine and spirits exports held broadly stable at €4.1 billion, with resilience in markets such as the UK, where volumes rose 3% despite fiscal pressure, FEVS said.

The sales to South Africa also climbed 22% to €182 million, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia also showed strong momentum.

Old meets new at a hip new Shanghai address

Shanghai is one of the most fascinating cities; Hyatt's Andaz is one of the hippest hotel brands.

Put the two together and you have Andaz Shanghai ITC, which opened this week.

Located in the heart of Shanghai's heritage district, the new hotel is part of one of the city's newest landmarks, the soaring ITC Xujiahui complex.

So think spectacular views from upper levels and a design that drew on the theme of nostalgia, referencing numerous iconic Shanghai sights, tastes, sounds and smells.

The Xujiahui district has a storied past and was at the forefront of development when Shanghai opened up to the outside world.

Motifs of the city's past, and present, can be found in the luxe rooms, restaurants, the rooftop bar and the open, neighbourhood-style corridors.

There are 267 rooms and suites offering floor-to-ceiling views.

There is a variety of accommodation options, many offering outdoor terraces, Nespresso coffee makers, Byredo Eleventh Hour amenities, made for Andaz.

Three culinary options are The Rooftop Bar; The West Wing, a European/Shanghainese deli and wine bar and he East Wing (above) with daytime buffets and classic Shanghainese dishes in the evening.

There are also opening offers for World of Hyatt members valid for stays from February 10 to May 2.

I've added it to my "to visit" list. It joins the brand's Asian debut property: Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai, in the city.

For more information, or to book a reservation, you can visit the Website.

China Syndrome continues to damage Australian wine industry

Tough times continue for the Australian wine industry with Australian wine exports declining by 8% in value and 6% in volume in 2025.

Value declined to $2.34 billion and volume to 613 million litres, stats in Wine Australia’s Export Report released today show.

The average value of exports also decreased by 3% per cent to $3.81 per litre Free on Board (FOB).

The reduction in overall exports was largely driven by declines in the value of exports to mainland China and the United States and in volume to the United Kingdom.

There were also markets recording value growth for Australian wine including Canada, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, which Wine Australia said indicated areas of opportunity for ongoing market diversification.

Wine Australia manager for mrket Insights Peter Bailey said the overall weakened export performance is consistent with the long-term trend of declining wine consumption in major markets around the world.

“Consumers are reducing overall alcohol consumption in line with wellness trends and in order to save money as the cost-of-living increases," Bailey said.

"For wine exporters around the world, trade barriers and regional conflicts are also making it more difficult and costly to get product into markets.”

Exports to mainland China had the biggest impact on the decline in value, as shipments to the market were down by 17% year-on-year to $755 million, following the initial restocking period after the removal of import tariffs on Australian wine

“While the re-opening of the mainland China market at the end of March 2024 provided some temporary relief in the decline in total exports, the Chinese wine market is one-third of the size it was five years ago - impacting both domestically produced and imported wines,” Bailey said.

“While shipment levels in the first three quarters after tariffs were removed were exceptionally positive, consumer demand has been subdued. Chinese consumer confidence has only made minor improvements since falling to an all-time low in 2022 during the Covid-19 pandemic[- which has negatively impacted consumer spending."

The top five markets by value were: mainland China, down 17% to $755 million, UK down 3% to $343 million, US down 12% to $287 million, Canada, up 12% to $175 million, and Singapore, up 18% to $118 million.

For more info see Wine Australia’s Export Report and Wine Australia’s Export Dashboard.

China becomes more welcoming as the US alienates its allies

While the United States does its best to alienate its allies, its political rivals are making all the right moves.

Travellers from Canada will soon be able to enter China visa-free, just like Australians and citizens of over 40 other countries.

This follows wide-ranking on trade, tariffs and tourism between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping, news hub Travel Mole reports.

“I’m very pleased to share that President Xi in our meeting today has committed to ensuring visa-free access for Canadians travelling to China,” Carney said.

Canada has a two million-strong Chinese diaspora and welcomes more than 300,000 Chinese tourists annually.

“These links position both nations to benefit from enhanced travel,” he added.

Neither government has not yet disclosed when visa-free travel for Canadians will begin.

Canada will join 45 other countries with visa-free access to China for their citizens, for up to one month. Trips to the Shanghai, Beijing and the Great Wall (above) are tipped to boom. 

The US, meanwhile, makes citizens of other nations jump through hoops for the right to visit, or even transit, through the country.  

Another one bites the dust? Airline suspends services

It is always a risk booking flights with a small carrier in a bid to save money.

Filipino carrier Royal Air Philippines this week suspended all flight operations leaving passengers stranded, China Travel News reported.

While the Manila-based airline has halted all flights, it insists the suspension is a temporary measure but hasn’t given a reason for the suspension of services or how long it will last.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding," the airline said in a notice posted to its website. "We eagerly anticipate welcoming you aboard soon.”

Royal Air Philippines was established more than 20 years ago as a charter airline and in 2018 it pivoted to a scheduled airline.

Backed by Lancang–Mekong Group with investment from China, it struggled in a competitive market in 2025.

It operated a small number of domestic and international routes focused on the China leisure market from Hong Kong, Taipei and Quanzhou to holiday hotspots like Boracay and Bohol. 

Matcha chills out for spring

Matcha is the beverage that came from obscurity and swept to international popularity.

Matcha is a drink made from a finely ground powder of green tea leaves that originated in China but is mainly produced in Japan.

It is usually consumed in hot water, but iced matcha is also gaining fans.

Soul Origin is shaking up the drinks scene with iced matcha this spring with a new Iced Matcha lineup nationwide until November 5 at $7.90 for a small glass and $8.90 for a regular.

The seasonal collection pairs premium-grade matcha with creamy milk and fruit purées - and is designed for enjoying on warmer days.

Core flavours include blueberry matcha, strawberry matcha, white choc matcha, and mango matcha.

“Our matcha is made with premium-grade matcha and grown at high altitude above 600 metres in the mountainous regions of Central Japan," says national coffee manager Sam Taylor.

"Only the spring flush harvest and the very best of the autumn flush green tea is used.”

The fruit purées are described as "delivering bold flavour without overwhelming sweetness".

For more details see Soul Origin.   

Typhoon threatens air travel chaos across Asian destinations

Good luck to anyone planning to fly in or out of major East Asian airports this week.

Typhoon Ragasa is threating the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and is expected to become the season’s first super typhoon with significant impacts on land, the WeatherZone website reported.

The system is forecast to unleash destructive winds, torrential rain and life-threatening storm surges as it rages over northern Philippines and southern Taiwan early in the week, before continuing towards southern China and Hong Kong as a typhoon by midweek.

Philippines authorities are warning of winds of 220–240 km/h are possible across northern Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, Batanes and southern Taiwan from late Monday.

Beyond the Philippines and Taiwan, Nando is projected to bring significant winds and rain to southern China, including coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, as well as Hong Kong, from late Tuesday into Thursday.

Hundreds of flights had been cancelled by lunchtime Tuesday, Australian time.   

Rainfall of around 200mm is expected along the southern China coast, leading to potential flooding and transport disruptions.

Hong Kong International Airport (top image) will suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours from Tuesday evening. Australian airline Qantas said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Airport Authority Hong Kong said it is closely monitoring the developments regarding the super typhoon.

Across Hong Kong, residents started stockpiling daily necessities on Monday morning. Long queues formed at supermarkets where products like milk had already sold out, while vegetables were being sold for more than triple their normal price at fresh markets.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific said on Monday that it expects to cancel more than 500 flights.

"Starting at 6pm tomorrow, September 23, Cathay Pacific's passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday," a spokeswoman for the airline said.

China to add new high-speed rail route

 

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has given the go ahead for a major new high-speed rail link between Shanghai and Hangzhou.

The new route is part of a broader push to expand the country’s already vast rail network, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The 222.8km line will connect Shanghai East - a new station under construction near Pudong Airport - to Hangzhou in just 40 minutes.

Both cities are already linked by a high-speed train but the new line will cut nearly a third off the current fastest journey.

The $US9.35 billion project will serve nine stations. It includes new stops at Fengxian, Shanghai Jinshan, Pinghu City, and Linping.

Existing stations at Situan, Jiaxing South, Tongxiang, and Hangzhou West will be upgraded to handle the expected surge in traffic.

For Shanghai East, the project marks a significant milestone. The station is set to become a key transportation hub, linking Pudong Airport with high-speed rail for the first time.

The project will boost the airport’s competitiveness with its rivals in China, including Hong Kong.

The new line is expected to drive economic integration between Shanghai and Zhejiang province, supporting growth in the Yangtze River Delta, one of China’s most dynamic economic regions.

The NDRC also approved construction of a 234.5 km line in Tibet on the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. The $US3.1 billion project will initially open with five stations. It will improve access in a region where rail development can be logistically challenging.

Meanwhile, construction will begin next month on the Yining–Aksu line in Xinjiang, a region bordering Central Asia.

The 794km single-track electrified line will require six years to build and carry a price tag of $US5.3 billion. Designed for speeds up to 160 kmh, it will feature 24 stations, half of them equipped with passing loops to support mixed passenger and freight traffic.

In Australia, meanwhile, the interstate rail network remains prehistoric.

China syndrome lifts Australian wine exports

China's renewed appetite for Australian wines has helped drive a 13% increase in export values over the financial year 2024-2025.

In the 12 months ended June 2025, Australian wine exports also increased 3% in volume,  Wine Australia’s Export Report released today reveals.

Peter Bailey, manager, Market Insights, Wine Australia said the latest data shows the impact of the China market reopening in March 2024 is beginning to stabilise.

“The year-on-year increase in exports was almost entirely driven by mainland China after tariffs on Australian bottled wine were removed at the end of March 2024," Bailey said.

"Over 12 months have passed since tariffs in mainland China were removed and the initial surge in exports has eased, resulting in 85 million litres of wine exports to the market in the 12 months ended June 2025, worth $893 million.

“The quarter ended June 2025 was 35% smaller in value than the same quarter in the previous year. This indicates that the level of exports to mainland China may be normalising after the initial re-stocking phase.

“The return of mainland China offers a valuable market, with global wine consumption at its lowest level since 1961. However, it has only had a small impact on total export volume, as the volume shipped to mainland China is half of what it was at its peak in 2018.

“This reflects the decline in wine consumption in the Chinese market over the last five years; the market is now only a third of the size it was in 2019."

In the past 12 months, imports from France, Italy, Spain, and Chile to China have all declined.

Exports from Australia to the rest of the world declined by 11% in value to $1.59 billion and 6% in volume to 554 million litres. 

While the decline in value was mainly driven by Hong Kong as sales transitioned to mainland China, the drop in volume reflected a reduced supply of Australian wine available for export after three smaller vintages, as well as declining demand from key export markets.

In a concerning stat, Australian wine exports to the United States declined by 10% in volume to 111 million litres and 12% in value to $314 million, the lowest value in over two decades.

The US wine market continues to face headwinds that developed after the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to reduced overall wine consumption in the last five years, Wine Australia said.

Health and wellness concerns, particularly among older wine consumers, lack of attachment recruitment to the category from younger generations, increased competition from other alcoholic beverages, high wholesaler inventories, and ongoing economic and political uncertainty, including import tariffs, have all contributed to a suppressed outlook for wine exports to the market in the near-term.

The top export destinations by value were:

* Mainland China, up 123% to $893 million
* United Kingdom, down 1% to $350 million
* United States, down 12% to $314 million
* Canada, up 7% to $157 million, and
* Hong Kong, down 54 per cent to $127 million.

For more information, see Wine Australia’s Export Report

Tourists continue to flock to Japan

Japan’s tourism boom is showing no signs of slowing down.

The country notched up 21.5 million arrivals in the first half of 2025, a 21% jump from last year and a record high for the period, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced this week.

Tourist spending in the first six months of the year also reached new heights - 4.8 trillion yen, a roughly 23% year-over-year increase.

South Korea represented the largest source of visitors with 4.78 million travellers, a 7.7% increase from last year, China registered a major increase - a 53.5% jump to 4.71 million visitors.

In addition, Japan saw double-digit percentage increases in visitors from Taiwan and the US, although numbers from Hong Kong dipped.

Japan set a new record with 36.8 million visitors last year, and the country has set its sights on attracting 60 million tourists annually by 2030.

Japan’s top tourism source markets:
1) South Korea: 4.78 million visitors, +7.7%
2) China, 4.71 million visitors, +53.5%
3) Taiwan, 3.28 million visitors, +10.3%
4) United States, 1.7 million visitors, +26.7%
5) Hong Kong, 1.27 million visitors, -0.4%

Image; Meghan Page, Scop.io 

Opening up Suzhou to tourists

Shanghai is a global tourism magnet, while neighbouring Suzhou is much less well known. 

That is why China Eastern Airlines has partnered with Suzhou city to launch the "Suzhou Pass" Co-Branded Card, exclusively available when booking international flights to China through the airline's official website.

Suzhou and Shanghai, two of eastern China's most beautiful cities, are just a short train ride apart. Suzhou city is known for its natural landscape, rich cultural heritage, and modern urban spaces.

The Co-Branded Card is the official benefits programme that provides travellers with access to Suzhou's cultural institutions and exclusive benefits to memorable experiences.

Specifically, it offers free access to Suzhou classical gardens including Humble Administrator's Garden, Tiger Hill, Lion Grove and a total of 14 renowned scenic spots across the city. 

Travellers can also access discounts on over 100 restaurants and hotels and get special prices for events and on public transport.

The tap-and-pay Co-Branded Card allows travellers to pay across multiple platforms. 

Travellers can book flights from overseas to Shanghai via the China Eastern Airlines official website, app or WeChat mini-programs by selecting the "Suzhou Pass Premium Product" package, which includes both the flight ticket and "Suzhou Pass" Co-Branded Card in a single order. 

Once in China, visitors can easily collect their physical card at either Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) Terminal 1 or the Suzhou City Terminal.

See https://pass.jsjfsz.com/suzhoupass/v1/#/

Purple Soul wines make a serious statement

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend "a wine evening of elegance and indulgence" - which sounded right up my street.

Unfortunately, the evening was being held in Adelaide, and am usually based in Tasmania, so had to decline.

But given the event was a launch for a wine brand that I had not heard of - Purple Soul Wines - I was intrigued.

It turns out Purple Soul is based in McLaren Vale with a production facility at Loxton, and is owned by the Lim family, who also have business interests in China.

Fifteen years spent mostly in sales and operations for bulk wine producers motivated Jamison Lim to create his own wine brand, Purple Soul, in 2018. He clearly purchased some quality base material as his wines date back to vintage 2019.

He's chosen his support staff well with Oliver Crawford (ex-Devil's Lair and current MD of wine consultancy group Veraise) as winemaker.

The range is built around chardonnay, grenache and shiraz from the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale respectively.

Each wine has a name derived from Greek mythology. And as well as Purple Soul, the Lim family also has wine brands in China, Chile, and Italy.

I think they'll be selling a lot of their wine in China as they have done well in several Chinese wine shows, and the ornate packaging is eye-catching.

The first wine I tried - the plummy and turbo-charged 2019 Anchor of Oceanus McLaren Vale Shiraz ($60) - is clearly aimed at lovers of big, macho alcoholic styles. It is described as "bold and only for the brave". It is huge - with 16.7% alcohol by volume.  

Much more to my personal taste were the 2023 Harp of Gaea Barossa Grenache ($60) and the 2023 Sphere of Uranus Adelaide Hills Chardonnay ($60), much more traditional in style abut both full of flavour. 

These are wines that make a serious statement. See https://purple-soul.com.au/