In recent years, China’s aid in the Pacific has come under increased scrutiny. Some suggest that China’s infrastructure projects and loans lead to unsustainable levels of debt for countries in the region, and that aid programs could lead to pro-China policy positions. The Chinese government has recently announced the formation of the International Development Cooperation Agency to coordinate its foreign aid programs, indicating that China may be prioritising the improvement of its international aid policy in light of the Belt and Road Initiative. What is China’s approach to aid? How does it differ from Australia’s? How do citizens of Pacific Island countries view China’s presence there? Should Australia be concerned?

Merriden Varrall, Director of the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney, to discuss China’s aid program in the Pacific and its evolving approach towards foreign aid.

Australia is a country built on immigration, and the Chinese diaspora forms an important part of Australian society. Yet there is often a lack of understanding about this community. Who are the ‘new Chinese’? What are their experiences of living in Australia? What are their views about the People’s Republic of China (PRC)? What are their aspirations and concerns for the future?

Barry Li, author of ‘The new Chinese: How they are shaping Australia’ (Wiley, 2017) joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss the new Chinese and the need for improved mutual understanding between Australians and Chinese immigrants.

Australia is a country built on immigration, and the Chinese diaspora forms an important part of Australian society. Yet there is often a lack of understanding about this community. Who are the ‘new Chinese’? What are their experiences of living in Australia? What are their views about the People’s Republic of China (PRC)? What are their aspirations and concerns for the future?

Barry Li, author of ‘The new Chinese: How they are shaping Australia’ (Wiley, 2017) joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss the new Chinese and the need for improved mutual understanding between Australians and Chinese immigrants.

The term ‘Indo-Pacific’ is increasingly used by Australian academics and policymakers to describe the region in which Australia is located. It is often argued that with China’s – and Asia’s – growing economic importance to Australia, the country faces an identity crisis as it comes to terms with its geographical position, as well as its historical status as a British colony and current role as an ally of the United States. How has Australia responded to China’s rise? What are Australian attitudes towards Asian regionalism, and how do they compare with China’s? Might Australia become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? How likely is the formation of a quadrilateral security arrangement (‘Quad’) with the US, Japan and India?

He Baogang, Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in International Relations at Deakin University, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney, to discuss Chinese and Australian approaches to Asian regionalism, and the need for innovative Asia policy.

The term ‘Indo-Pacific’ is increasingly used by Australian academics and policymakers to describe the region in which Australia is located. It is often argued that with China’s – and Asia’s – growing economic importance to Australia, the country faces an identity crisis as it comes to terms with its geographical position, as well as its historical status as a British colony and current role as an ally of the United States. How has Australia responded to China’s rise? What are Australian attitudes towards Asian regionalism, and how do they compare with China’s? Might Australia become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? How likely is the formation of a quadrilateral security arrangement (‘Quad’) with the US, Japan and India?

He Baogang, Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in International Relations at Deakin University, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney, to discuss Chinese and Australian approaches to Asian regionalism, and the need for innovative Asia policy.

Some analysts suggest that China’s long-term economic development prospects are stymied by its ageing population, and claim that China will ‘grow old before it gets rich’. Does this mean China will never get rich? Are countries more likely to become rich if their population is young? How do Australia’s ageing population challenges compare with China’s? What impact will an ageing China have on Australian exports?

Lauren Johnston, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss the effects of China’s ageing population on its economy and the need to refresh debate about the effects of demographic changes on economic development.

Some analysts suggest that China’s long-term economic development prospects are stymied by its ageing population, and claim that China will ‘grow old before it gets rich’. Does this mean China will never get rich? Are countries more likely to become rich if their population is young? How do Australia’s ageing population challenges compare with China’s? What impact will an ageing China have on Australian exports?

Lauren Johnston, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss the effects of China’s ageing population on its economy and the need to refresh debate about the effects of demographic changes on economic development.

Some observers describe China as an authoritarian regime or dictatorship. China is often perceived in these terms due to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) apparent control over every aspect of China’s political life. Are there elements of democracy in China’s political system? What are the implications of the recent constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits? What role does public opinion play in shaping the Chinese government's policies and behaviour?

John Keane, Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss his new book, 'When trees fall, monkeys scatter' (World Scientific, 2017) which explores the concept of China’s ‘phantom democracy’ and argues that the one-party system enjoys surprising levels of public support and resilience.

Some observers describe China as an authoritarian regime or dictatorship. China is often perceived in these terms due to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) apparent control over every aspect of China’s political life. Are there elements of democracy in China’s political system? What are the implications of the recent constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits? What role does public opinion play in shaping the Chinese government's policies and behaviour?

John Keane, Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss his new book, 'When trees fall, monkeys scatter' (World Scientific, 2017) which explores the concept of China’s ‘phantom democracy’ and argues that the one-party system enjoys surprising levels of public support and resilience.

As Australia’s relationship with China expands, improved China literacy and a grasp of the Chinese language are becoming increasingly important. Despite this, studies indicate the numbers of fluent non-native speakers and learners of Chinese at all stages of education remain low. Why aren’t more students taking up the challenge of learning Chinese and achieving fluency? What can be done to encourage students to begin and continue their study of Chinese? Does Australia face unique difficulties?

Tom Shugg, Director and Co-Founder of My Education Group, joins Simone van Nieuwenhuizen, Project and Research Officer at the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss the future of Chinese language teaching and learning in Australia.