Wuxi Suntech, owned since earlier this year by China’s Shunfeng, has always had deep ties to Australia.

Shi Zhengrong, the founder and former chief executive of Suntech Power, completed his Ph.D. studies in Australia and subsequently became a naturalized citizen, before returning to China to start Suntech.

Wuxi Suntech has about a dozen R&D-related employees in Australia, and has been pumping A$3m ($2.8m)