National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) 澳中基金会

As the Foundation celebrates #NAIDOC week, we are strengthening our partnerships with First Nations people and businesses. Foundation CEO Gary Cowan met with WAITOC CEO Robert Taylor, a recipient of the Foundation’s 2023-24 grants round.  WAITOC’s program is supporting First Nations tourism operators across Australia to better understand Chinese traveller perceptions and demand for Australian First Nations Indigenous experiences.    Our grants program will continue to promote the unique offerings of First Nations businesses and maximise trade and investment opportunities that deliver tangible benefits.   #NAIDOC2024 #NAIDOCWeek #Tourism #FirstNationsTourism #FirstNationsBusiness

Did you know there are long standing links between the Chinese-Australian community and Indigenous Australians that span centuries? Foundation-sponsored research on this topic by the Museum of Chinese Australian History forms the largest body of work on Aboriginal Chinese people in Australia. Research projects like these celebrate the oldest living culture in the world by acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation. #NAIDOCWeek2024 #KeeptheFireBurning #BlakLoudandProud Our Story: Aboriginal Chinese People in Australia | Museum of Chinese Australian History (chinesemuseum.com.au)

Thanks to the Australia China Business Council WA for hosting this important event. Discussions like these are important opportunities to exchange views on the the breadth of our relationship with China. #AustraliaChina #ACBCEvents #Networking #ACBCWA

Australia is a diverse and democratic nation, enhanced by people of every faith, background and tradition. This week CEO Gary Cowan met @Dr Ting Chen, President of the Chung Wah Association, to discuss community issues in WA and the big visit in June – Chung Wah hosted Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li Qiang during the Premier’s visit to Australia. Established in 1908, Chung Wah is WA’s oldest ethnic association. The Chinese community has been an important part of Australia’s social fabric for over 200 years.

Today CEO Gary Cowan met Courtney Draper, head of Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) to speak about sustainable barley trade and reengaging China. AEGIC helps Australian grain growers (including our barley growers) learn about the needs of our customers overseas, educate our customers on the benefits of Australian grain, and develop new techniques and products. The Foundation is pleased to help build Australia’s China capability and support informed engagement with partners in China.

The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations is a national platform that works across sectors including business, education and the arts to support risk-informed engagement with China. This week Foundation CEO Gary Cowan held roundtables and meetings with a range of Australian mining, agriculture, education and creative sector leaders in WA with a stake in the relationship with China. Pictured are representatives at our education sector roundtable. Coming just after the visit to Australia of China’s Premier Li Qiang, including his time in Perth, this was an opportune time to discuss Western Australia’s significant relationships with China. Meeting with stakeholders around Australia helps inform the Foundation's priorities.       David Parker of Minerals Council of Australia, L. Gordon Flake of Perth USAsia Centre, Murdoch University, Simon McKirdy, North Metropolitan TAFE Vivienne Scott, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Justin de Sousa, StudyPerth, Western Australia Derryn Belford, Curtin University, Nigel de Silva, Julie Xiuli Song, and Australia China Business Council WA James Clarke (柯雅各)

Our commitment to Western Australia’s agricultural industry just got stronger! This week Foundation CEO Gary Cowan spoke with Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC MLC, WA Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business alongside Richard Simonaitis Grains Australia, Courtney Draper AEGIC, Ben Tiller, CBH Group, Peter Nash, Grains Industry Association of Western Australia Heather Brayford and Darcey Duncan Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development about Australia-China agricultural cooperation. Opportunities like these that allow us to better understand the needs of our stakeholders and drive initiatives to scale Australia-China collaboration on sustainable agricultural projects.

Creative industries are crucial for cultural exchange and sharing knowledge between nations. The Foundation was thrilled to have CEO Gary Cowan host an inaugural roundtable with representatives from Western Australia’s creative sector today. We welcomed previous grant recipient WA Ballet and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alongside future innovators Western Australian Museum, Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA, Performing Lines, PICA — Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Friendship Games. As we prepare to launch the 2024-2025 Grant Round, we’re excited to learn more about, and further support Australian excellence and creative sector engagement with China.

Sport is one of Australia’s great national strengths and helps project modern and multicultural Australia to the world. Last week, Chinese-Australian Melissa Wu was selected for the Paris 2024 Australian Olympic Diving team.    She will become the first Australian diver to compete at five Olympics, the most of any Chinese-Australian.    Stories like Melissa’s - one of perseverance and passion - show that the Chinese-Australian community has ultimately made Australia a better nation for us all. 体育是澳大利亚国家优势之一，有助于向世界展示其现代和多元化的国家风采。上周，澳大利亚华裔运动员伍丽群入选2024巴黎奥运会澳大利亚跳水队参赛运动员名单。 她将成为首位参加过五届奥运会的澳大利亚跳水运动员，也是参加奥运会次数最多的澳大利亚华裔。 还有很多像伍丽群这样不懈努力、斗志昂扬的华人故事，它们展现了澳大利亚华人社区对澳大利亚所做出的贡献，使其成为了一个更好的国家。 https://lnkd.in/gYzBRNx8

Last night Foundation CEO Gary Cowan met Dairy Australia Chair James Mann and Victorian dairy farmers Phil and Symone Vines and Callum Moscript at the 25th Anniversary celebration of Dairy Australia’s China Scholarship Program.     Over the past 25 years, Dairy Australia has showcased to leading Chinese dairy businesses and industry networks the commitment of Australian dairy farmers to rigorous farming practices and high standards across the industry supply chain.     Sustained engagement building people-to-people exchanges is vital to Australia’s relationship with China. @vines farm #dairy #internationalmarkets #ausdairy