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Australia’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in recent years has been characterised by increasing levels of political friction driven by concerns around national security, human rights and sovereignty, among other issues, with Australia on the receiving end of muscular rhetoric from the PRC government and its state media outlets. In some instances, this has been punctuated by statements from the PRC government suggesting economic consequences for Australia. In April, for example, the PRC Ambassador to Australia warned that PRC consumers could boycott Australian exports such as education, beef and wine in response to the Australian government’s advocacy for an independent, international inquiry into the origins and spread of COVID-19.  

To what extent does public opinion in the PRC support or align with such claims? What reactions have there been to recent developments in Australia-PRC relations in the PRC outside the government? How do PRC citizens perceive Australia more broadly?  

The Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) hosted an online webinar with Will Glasgow, China correspondent for The Australian newspaper; Jack Brady, CEO and Executive Director of AustCham Shanghai; and Diane Hu, Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the Australian Studies Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University, moderated by UTS:ACRI Director Professor James Laurenceson, discussing these questions and more.

Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm

 

About the speakers

Will Glasgow

Will Glasgow is The Australian's China correspondent, based in Beijing. In 2018 he won the Keith McDonald Award for Business Journalist of the Year. He previously worked at The Australian Financial Review.

Jack Brady

Jack Brady is the CEO and Executive Director of AustCham Shanghai. He leads a team of staff across four departments and drives AustCham’s mission to strengthen Australia-China business, government and community relationships. Mr Brady is an Executive Director of the AustCham Shanghai Board of Directors.

Mr Brady was previously the General Manager of AustCham. Prior to joining AustCham Shanghai, he worked in Sydney with government relations and corporate communications firm GRACosway as the National Research and Policy Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) from The University of Sydney.

Diane (Dan) Hu

Dr Diane (Dan) Hu is Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the Australian Studies Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Deputy General Secretary of the Chinese Association for Australian Studies. She is the Deputy Chief Editor of Australia Blue Book, China’s leading annual blue book on Australia, and sits on the editorial board of the International Australian Studies Association (InASA)'s Journal of Australian Studies. She is also Associate at the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne. Dr Hu is on the Board of Experts for China's National People's Congress, advising on the English version of laws passed at the national legislature. She has been an active commentator on China-Australia relations. 

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