China investment a poll issue in sleepy northern Tasmania
Canberra
THE China boom came to Tasmania the moment model Zhang Xinyu posted a selfie from Shanghai cuddling a lavender-stuffed teddy bear named Bobbie made at Robert Ravens' farm.
The picture went viral, creating so much interest in the bears that Chinese tourists began scaling Mr Ravens' fences after closing time to frolic in his purple lavender fields. Three years on, the farm in the Australian state's north still attracts up to 1,000 Chinese tourists a day in peak season. "Northern Tasmania is going through a rare period of sunshine and China is underpinning that," says the farmer, 71.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, rich cuisine and low cost of living lure more expat retirees to Malaysia
Vietnam tycoon appeals against US$27 billion fraud death sentence
US announces new restrictions on firearm exports
Central banks will probably only cut half as much as they hiked
US consumer sentiment falls as inflation expectations climb
HSBC wins £1.3 billion suit over Disney film finance scandal