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 documen

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