澳大利亚驻华大使安思捷阁下的代表、公使衔参赞伊丽莎白•匹克女士
在第15届中国澳大利亚国际学术研讨会开幕式上的致辞

2016年7月8日

It is a pleasure to be here today at the opening of the 15th International Conference of Australian Studies in China "Australia in the World: Past, Present and Future".

Every time, this Conference goes from strength to strength, covering themes and ideas from Creativity and Development to Globalisation and Imagination.

And in the last 30 years, the Australia-China relationship has also grown in strength and influence.

We have celebrated 40 years of Australia – China diplomatic relations, signed the landmark Australia-China Free Trade Agreement and recognised each other as comprehensive strategic partners, just to name a few achievements.

The growing network of Australian Studies Centres, with over 30 located across China, is evidence of the depth and breadth of this relationship.

Australia’s universities have more links with Chinese universities than they do with any other country.  Chinese researchers publish more scientific papers with Australians than with researchers from any other country bar the US, the UK and Japan.  China is the second most popular destination for Australians studying abroad, just behind the US. 

Australia Studies Centres in China are well placed to act as a facilitator for universities wishing to create meaningful institutional connections and as a landing pad for Australia students in China.

The Embassy’s major literature program, Australia Writers Week in China, now entering its 9th year, can attribute much of its success to the strength and breadth of the Australia Studies Centres network. During the 2016 program, Australian authors visited eleven Australian Studies Centres in eleven cities across Mainland China, and spoke to over 450 ASC students and staff.

Australian Studies Centres play a valuable role in the Embassy’s regional outreach. With locations all across China, Australian Studies Centres are often the first ‘point of call’ for a visiting Ambassador, Minister, delegation, academic or creative.

Their local knowledge of their city and province, coupled with their understanding of strategic priorities for both the Australian and Chinese government, make these Centres an invaluable resource for real-time knowledge and advice.

I am confident the Australian Studies Centres across China, bolstered by the quality of conferences and dialogues like the one you are attending today, will continue to play a valuable role in strengthening understanding and appreciation of Australia among Chinese students.

I have no doubt that the Australian Studies Centres will also increase the academic, institutional and governmental links between our two nations.