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.

Over the last 12 months, the Australia-China relationship has faced significant challenges. Amidst discussion of China’s sharp power and debate over Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government influence in Australia, there have been suggestions that students from the People’s Republic of China represent a threat to academic freedom and freedom of expression. Some commentators have argued that the relationship is at a decade low. What do Chinese scholars think about recent tensions in the bilateral relationship? What are the possible short- and long-term effects? What can the Australian and Chinese governments do to alleviate these tensions?

Diane Hu, Assistant Professor of Australian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to provide a Chinese perspective on the current state of Australia-China relations.

Over the last 12 months, the Australia-China relationship has faced significant challenges. Amidst discussion of China’s sharp power and debate over Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government influence in Australia, there have been suggestions that students from the People’s Republic of China represent a threat to academic freedom and freedom of expression. Some commentators have argued that the relationship is at a decade low. What do Chinese scholars think about recent tensions in the bilateral relationship? What are the possible short- and long-term effects? What can the Australian and Chinese governments do to alleviate these tensions?

Diane Hu, Assistant Professor of Australian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to provide a Chinese perspective on the current state of Australia-China relations.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, China's legal system has significantly improved in many areas. For example, transparency has been enhanced through the introduction of an ‘open trials network’, which live-streams court trials across China. However, there is still much room for improvement. Human rights lawyers, defence lawyers and campaigners are frequently silenced, and courts avoid taking on sensitive cases that are deemed to be ‘social issues’ rather than legal issues. What plans are in place to improve the rule of law? How well do Australians understand the Chinese legal system? How fairly can Australians expect to be treated under Chinese law? Colin Hawes, Associate Professor and Director of Courses at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Law Faculty, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at UTS to discuss developments in China’s legal system and implications for Australians.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, China's legal system has significantly improved in many areas. For example, transparency has been enhanced through the introduction of an ‘open trials network’, which live-streams court trials across China. However, there is still much room for improvement. Human rights lawyers, defence lawyers and campaigners are frequently silenced, and courts avoid taking on sensitive cases that are deemed to be ‘social issues’ rather than legal issues. What plans are in place to improve the rule of law? How well do Australians understand the Chinese legal system? How fairly can Australians expect to be treated under Chinese law? Colin Hawes, Associate Professor and Director of Courses at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Law Faculty, joins James Laurenceson, Deputy Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at UTS to discuss developments in China’s legal system and implications for Australians.

China has paid a heavy price for its large-scale industrialisation. While it has driven China’s economic growth, China’s use of fossil fuels has resulted in unhealthy urban pollution. This has encouraged the Chinese government to re-assess its reliance on fossil fuels and focus on renewable energy technologies. How is China improving environmental conditions in big cities? What are the geopolitical reasons behind China’s shift towards greener energy? Will China overtake the United States as the global leader in green technology? Can China’s experience in developing and implementing green technology be applied to other developing countries? What are the opportunities for Australia? John Mathews, Professor of Strategy at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss China’s role in the global green shift.

China has paid a heavy price for its large-scale industrialisation. While it has driven China’s economic growth, China’s use of fossil fuels has resulted in unhealthy urban pollution. This has encouraged the Chinese government to re-assess its reliance on fossil fuels and focus on renewable energy technologies. How is China improving environmental conditions in big cities? What are the geopolitical reasons behind China’s shift towards greener energy? Will China overtake the United States as the global leader in green technology? Can China’s experience in developing and implementing green technology be applied to other developing countries? What are the opportunities for Australia? John Mathews, Professor of Strategy at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss China’s role in the global green shift.

China has become an important economic partner for both Australia and Canada. How do the Australian and Canadian publics view China? What are the differences and similarities in government policies and attitudes towards China? What role does the US play in the formulation of China policy in both countries? How has Canada approached the TPP since US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal, and why didn’t Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turn up to the TPP leadership meeting on the sidelines of APEC? Gordon Houlden, Director of the China Institute and Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss what Australia and Canada can learn from each other as they develop their respective relationships with China.

China has become an important economic partner for both Australia and Canada. How do the Australian and Canadian publics view China? What are the differences and similarities in government policies and attitudes towards China? What role does the US play in the formulation of China policy in both countries? How has Canada approached the TPP since US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal, and why didn’t Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turn up to the TPP leadership meeting on the sidelines of APEC? Gordon Houlden, Director of the China Institute and Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss what Australia and Canada can learn from each other as they develop their respective relationships with China.

What are Western perspectives on China and how have they evolved since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949? How have Australians responded to China’s rise? How should Australia balance its relationships between China and the United States? How should Australians prepare for changing regional and global dynamics as a result of China’s increasing influence? Colin Mackerras, eminent Sinologist and Emeritus Professor at Griffith University, joins Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney to discuss current developments in, and the future of, the Australia-China relationship.