By Chip Le Grand

Copyright brisbanetimes

Beijing: Premier Jacinta Allan placed her government on a collision course with Canberra over international student numbers as she declared boosting international education the top priority of her China strategy unveiled in Beijing.

In a speech delivered to Chinese and Victorian business leaders, diplomats and trade officials on Monday night, Allan nominated her three priorities for the five-year strategy as “education, education and education”.

Asked whether the strategy would reach its goals without the federal government lifting the cap on international student numbers, Allan was blunt: “I will always say yes to international students and I am not going to be deterred.”

The China strategy is Victoria’s first for 10 years. It has dumped specific targets listed in the previous document and instead seeks to couch Victoria’s push for more export dollars and investment from its largest trading partner in terms of community connection and cultural exchange.