Regional Australia plays a significant role in the national economy. However, regional communities often struggle to compete with large urban centres for the attraction of industries, businesses and capital. With the rapid growth of trade with China and Chinese investment in Australia, new opportunities of investment, export (e.g. agri-food, natural resources), tourism and infrastructure development have emerged for regional communities. This project aims to showcase how local governments in regional Australia embark in New Areas of Engagement by embracing economic opportunities with China and the challenges, prospects and benefits they experience from such engagement.