A DELEGATION of Port Adelaide executives this week begins an extensive tour of Hong Kong and Shanghai as part of its annual promotional tour in China.

Led by Chief Executive Keith Thomas and GM of China Engagement Andrew Hunter, the delegation will be involved in a series of business events.

The trip will also allow Mr Thomas and Mr Hunter to lead discussion with a number of senior business and government leaders.

“The purpose of the trip is twofold," Mr Hunter told portadelaidefc.com.au.

"The first is to promote Port Adelaide’s ongoing presence and activity in China, and second to meet the managing directors, CEOs and chairpersons of significant Chinese companies, and Australian companies based in China. 

“We’ll be talking about what we offer and the significant business-to-business opportunities that we are developing.”

A series of luncheons themed around sports diplomacy will be conducted with the consulates general of Hong Kong and Shanghai.

These will demonstrate the opportunities governments and businesses can build through sport.

Meeting with the Australian Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong and Shanghai will also put Port Adelaide in front of Australian business leaders during the tour.

Mr Thomas will also be the keynote speaker at the International Sports Summit in Shanghai.

“I think it’s  significant that such an event will feature Keith as its keynote speaker,” Mr Hunter said.

“What Port Adelaide’s doing in China is industry leading.”

Port Adelaide’s China team has been industrious over the months since the historic first game for premiership points in Shanghai in May of this year.

As well as planning a return to Shanghai in 2018, the club has been building multiple relationships with corporations in the world’s most populous nation.

“Things haven’t really stopped for us since the Shanghai game in May,” Mr Hunter said.

“Shanghai 2018 will be bigger and more exciting than this year’s game, and we’re working with the AFL on how that will look.

“We’ve also been building exciting opportunities with potential partners to be announced in the New Year.

“And we’re also building a significant business-to-business platform, and we’re very pleased with the progress we’re making in this space.”

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