Australia's emerging cities are counting on Chinese investors to help boost the local economy, with a series of favorable policies including a new immigration policy, after Australian leader Julia Gillard's visit to China last week.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson says invesments from Chinese people will bring economic gains for both sides. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn

A delegation from Queensland arrived in China to draw investments from Chinese entrepreneurs, in tourism, construction and public transportation.

The trip involves visits to Beijing, Foshan in Guangdong province, and Xiamen,Fujian province. Xiamen is a sister city of Sunshine Coast.

Last week during her visit, Gillard signed an agreement to make Australia the third country to be allowed to directly trade Chinese RMB with Australian dollars, a signal that the two countries will expand economic ties.

Known as the lifestyle province of Australia, Sunshine Coast, a major city in Queensland, is looking for Chinese investors to accelerate several major projects.

The city, 100 kilometers from Brisbane, Queensland's capital, is less known to Chinese people than traditional tourism destinations such as Gold Coast and Cairns. But Mayor Mark Jamiesonhas decided to bring it into the spotlight by building stronger bonds with wealthy Chinese middle-class and emerging private enterprises.

"We are both Asian-Pacific countries and we have good relations, and moreover, we respect the capability of Chinese investors," Jamieson said, adding that they are looking for investments in the public transportation, infrastructure and tourism sectors.

Specifically, the city is looking for quick investment for expansion of the local airport, which is already significant, but the government wants to take it to the international level.

Jamieson is not eyeing the giant, powerful state companies, but the growing private enterprises in China to get involved in these projects.

"The state companies are looking for major resources and projects, and apparently we are not; so private enterprises may find it interesting."

In terms of public transportation, the federal government is responsible for major rails, and the state government is responsible for light rails and buses.

"The more we get cars off the road, the less exhaust we get, and the more environmentally friendly we can make our community," he said.

The city is also open to the green energy sector. "There are a lot of solar energy companies in China, and certainly they can capitalize on that. This is a very useful technology that will propel the development of our region."

The rising Chinese middle class is also a big lure for Australian cities, including Sunshine Coast. It is home to Glass House Mountain, Frazer Island(world's largest sand island), and countless waterfalls, beaches and golf courses.

"As it is quiet and peaceful, I think we can offer very unique experiences for Chinese people. Beijing has a population of 22 million, while the total population of Australiais 22 million," Jamieson said.

The place used to be a closed area mostly appealing to tourist groups from Europe or the US, but in recent years, it is drawing more Chinese visitors.

"We would not highlight the exclusivity of the area in the future, and I think it will be a very interesting area for Chinese tourists."

Chinese tourists to Australia increased by 27 percent last year from 2011, just second to tourists from neighboring New Zealand, in terms of volume. And Jamieson believes that the top position will soon be seized by Chinese tourists.

As an open and spacious city, the city has a lot of space for golf courses. It hasn't seen many requests for golf tours to Queensland from Chinese tourists, but Jamieson projects a big demand from Chinese tourists, as it is much cheaper than in China.

As a return on the investments, the government will open more immigration opportunities.

"The federal government has recently released a new policy to make it easier for Chinese people, especially Chinese business people, to immigrate to Australia.

"For the city of Sunshine Coast, we have a lot of opportunities for joint ventures, and the city can offer tax cuts and rebates for some investments," Jamieson said.