F A S I C

Warmest congratulations to Emeritus Professor David Walker AM, FASIC Director and the inaugural BHP Billiton Chair of Australia Studies at Peking University, for being awarded a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant services to education in the field of Australian Studies and to international relations”. Click here to read the media notes on David’s service. 

11 DECEMBER 2017

Celebrating 45 years of Australia-China relations – click to view the English website and Chinese website of 45 Years, 45 Stories - a 45th Anniversary of Australia-China Diplomatic Relations campaign celebrating the multifaceted community cultural links that are the fabric of the Australia-China relationship. Hashtags #AusChina45 #45years45stories. 45 Years, 45 Stories is an initiative of the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Jianjun LIArea of Interest: Australian LiteratureMy initial contact with Australian literature was in 1990 when I was a student at Nankai University. I came across the Anthology of Australian Literature edited by Professor Huang Yuanshen and was greatly impressed by Henry Lawson's "The Drover's Wife" and "His Mother's Mate". My studies were supervised by Professor Hu Wenzhong at Beijing Foreign Studies University in the early 2000s and shaped my career development in Australian studies. As a very fortunate recipient of the BHP David Walker Australian Studies Scholarship, I will study under Professor Anthony Uhlmann and Professor Nicholas Jose at Western Sydney University. My research topic surveys the publication of Australian literature in People's Republic of China in the 1950s-1960s and explores the social, cultural and political factors that affected the translation, publication and reception of Australian literature in China during that period. I am passionate about the cultural and educational links and exchanges between China and Australia. This Scholarship will provide me with a rare opportunity to research the cultural encounters between China and Australia, which occurred much earlier than commonly assumed.

Lucy MCFARLANEArea of Interest: Language and International LawI am proud to be a 2017 BHP Australia China Scholarship recipient.  The scholarship supported my study at the Inter University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP) on the Tsinghua University campus. I had the benefit of one-on-one teaching for a two month Summer Course, which further improved my Mandarin skills. This was an invaluable learning environment, providing detailed and individualized feedback.  Following my study, I interned in Beijing at Vermilion Partners, who provide cross-border and domestic investment banking services in China, the US, Europe and other Asian markets. The language skills developed through IUP enabled me to work comfortably in a Chinese office environment and to make meaningful friendships. I am an ongoing Research Assistant for Professor Don Rothwell of the ANU, for whom I conduct research in International Law of the Sea.

Andriana-Mei PANAGIOTOUArea of Interest: Public PolicyThrough the BHP Australia China Scholarship, I have been able to undertake a Masters Degree in Public Policy within Peking University’s School of Government. The scholarship has encouraged me to thrive and pursue my interest of enhancing the Australia China relationship. Being situated in the dynamic and vibrant heart of Beijing, along with being part of a strong community of students from all parts of the world, I have been given a truly unique opportunity to interact and gain knowledge from far beyond the classroom. Through my studies at Peking University I will be able to gain knowledge of the intricacies of policy making in China and also write a thesis of my own choosing. I believe that this scholarship will be a transformational one and I am truly grateful to FASIC and BHP for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Kate SMITHArea of Interest: Urban Water ManagementI am extremely grateful for the BHP Australia China Scholarship, which will support my PhD in Environmental Engineering at Tsinghua University, China. My PhD research focuses on urban water management and my specific focus is: understanding and reducing energy use for water supply and wastewater in urban China. In the past, major concerns in the water sector have been demand and quality; in other words, do we have enough water to meet the demand of a city and can we provide water of good enough quality so people will not get sick? But now, there is growing concern for the amount of energy used and greenhouse gases emitted by the water sector. For example, when we turn wastewater into fresh water, or make water quality standards stricter, or pump water to greater heights within buildings, how much more energy is needed and how can we reduce this? These are some of the questions I look at in my research.

Chuan TRANArea of Interest: Business and AdministrationAsan Australian with Chinese ancestry and roots, I have always been intrigued by the diverse language systems, deep history and culture in which China presents. I am very thankful of this scholarship offered by FASIC and BHP, as it provides scholarship recipients a fantastic opportunity to pursue meaningful further study and support in their professional endeavours in China. I hope to combine my practical business experience along with research to advance Australia’s export business, trade, and relations for existing and upcoming Australian businesses to better understand regulatory barriers, market access factors, and trade solutions affecting their ambitions in conducting business with our Chinese counterparts. 

Matthew WARRArea of Interest:Business Administration and Corporate GovernanceI am extremely grateful to receive a BHP Billiton Australia-China Scholarship, which will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to continue forging strong ties with China, and to further pursue my academic and professional interest in the Australia-China relationship. The scholarship will afford me the opportunity to further my research in areas that are not only of interest to me personally, but are of critical importance for the next generation of Australian and Chinese business leaders to achieve effective mutual collaboration and positive business outcomes. These areas include cross-cultural communication and management in a Chinese-Australian business context; Chinese corporate culture and how it compares with corporate culture in an Australian and Western organisational context; and corporate governance structures and ownership in large Chinese firms and the implications of this for Chinese corporate investment in Australia.