DEPUTY CONSUL-GENERAL MS NINA DYNON
Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu
Nina Dynon is currently the Deputy Consul-General for Australia's Consulate-General in Chengdu. Previously she was an adviser in the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and served for four years as a foreign policy adviser for Senator the Hon Penny Wong and the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP in the foreign affairs portfolio.
Before working in Federal Parliament, Nina was a China specialist at ANZSOG (the Australia New Zealand School of Government) where she worked closely with Prof Allan Fels AO, then Dean of the School, on the development and implementation of the School’s international programs with China, India and the Pacific.
Nina has more than a decade’s experience working and studying in China. She was based in Beijing for three consecutive years from 2007, an interesting time period for China which included the Beijing Olympics, the Sichuan Earthquake, the Xinjiang riots, and the 60th Anniversary of the CCP. She speaks Mandarin Chinese and loves hotpot.
Nina has degrees from Bryn Mawr College in East Asian Studies and Mathematics (BA), and the University of Melbourne in International Relations (MA). She has conducted academic research and written theses on China’s urbanisation in Xinjiang and Tibet and China’s investments in Africa’s arable land.
Nina was a participant in the Lowy Institute’s New Voices Conference in 2014 and 2015, in the Asialink Leaders Program 2015, in the Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD) 2015, and the ANU National Security College's 2019 Framing the Future program. She was also a delegate on the CSIRO and NAB’s National Outlook Project in 2017-18.
Nina is originally from Pennsylvania in the US, and is now a proud Canberran.
PROFESSOR KATHERINE MORTON
Professor of Global Affairs at the Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University
Katherine Morton is the Schwarzman College Professor of Global Affairs. She is also an External Associate of the China Centre and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. Her research focuses on China and International Relations with a particular emphasis upon the domestic and international motivations behind China’s changing role in the world and the implications for foreign policy and the study of International Relations. Prior to her appointment at the Schwarzman College she held the positions of Chair in China’s International Relations at the University of Sheffield and Associate Dean for Research at the College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University. Professor Morton is a regular participant in policy dialogues on China and international affairs. She has been awarded two Senior Memberships to St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, and visiting fellowships to Peking University, Rajaratnam School of International Studies, China Foreign Affairs University, and Columbia University. She has published widely on global governance, the environment and climate change, food security, and maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
MR NEIL THOMAS
Fellow for Chinese Politics, Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis
Neil Thomas is a Fellow for Chinese Politics at Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, where he studies elite politics, political economy, and foreign policy. Previously, he was a Senior Analyst for China and Northeast Asia at Eurasia Group, the world’s leading political risk advisory and consulting firm, a Senior Research Associate at MacroPolo, the in-house think tank of the Paulson Institute, and a lecturer at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He has testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and his writing appears in publications including The China Story, ChinaFile, Foreign Policy, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Lowy Interpreter, The Washington Post, and The Wire China.
He is regularly quoted by major media outlets such as Bloomberg, CNN, Financial Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He holds a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia, and certificates from Renmin University, Tsinghua University, and Zhejiang University.
MS KANDY WONG
Correspondent, Political Economy, South China Morning Post
Kandy Wong returned to the Post in 2022 as a correspondent for the Political Economy desk, having earlier worked as a reporter on the Business desk. She focuses on China's trade relationships with the United States, the European Union and Australia, as well as the Belt & Road Initiative and currency issues. She graduated from New York University with a master's degree in journalism in 2013. An award-winning journalist, she has worked in Hong Kong, China and New York for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and the Financial Times, E&E News, Forbes, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Nikkei Asia and Coconuts Media.
A/PROFESSOR SHEN YUJIA
School of International Relations, Sichuan University
SHEN Yujia is an Associate Professor at Sichuan University. She previously worked as a research fellow of the National Centre for Oceania Studies at the Sun Yat-sen University for three years while visiting Pacific Islands for field study.
Dr SHEN Yujia is a graduate from the University of Melbourne and completed her PhD degree in the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Her current research interests lie in the Asia Pacific Region, especially in South Pacific region. Also, her research includes comparative and descriptive studies of regional governance in Southeast Asia and South Pacific region.
MS TILLY ZHANG
China Technology Analyst, Gavekal Dragonomics
Tilly is currently a China Technology Analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics. Tilly writes on China’s semiconductor, internet and broader technology industry. She joined Gavekal Dragonomics in 2023 after seven years at Gavekal Fathom China. She has a BA from Xi'an International Studies University, where she majored in journalism and led the anime club. She has lived in 10 cities in China and four in the US. Now in Beijing, she plays tennis and the accordion.
MR ZICHEN WANG
Research Fellow & Director for International Communication, Center for China and Globalization (CCG)
Zichen Wang is Research Fellow and Director for International Communication at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a leading non-governmental think tank in Beijing. Prior to joining CCG in October 2022, he worked for 11 years at Xinhua News Agency, including leading its text coverage of the European Union in Brussels. He was a recipient of many awards from the Chinese authorities.
Zichen is also known internationally for founding Pekingnology (www.pekingnology.com) and now editing three English-language newsletters at CCG, where he leads a team in translating, interpreting, summarizing, and contextualizing Chinese policies and relevant discussions mainly from within China for a sizable and influential audience. Pekingnology now has nearly 12,000 subscribers and amassed over 1 million views from both email and web pages in the year to date. The newsletter’s content and his comments on current affairs have been quoted by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Financial Times, Times of India, China.Table, etc.
He was recently invited by the U.S. State Department to its International Visitor Leadership Program.
MR TOM NUNLIST
Associate Director, Trivium China
Tom is Associate Director at Trivium China, a leading Chinese policy research consultancy. Tom’s research focuses on the intersection of politics and technology in China, with a sub-specialty in the emerging area of data security and governance. Tom’s hands-on consulting work with Fortune 100 clients covers policy analysis, risk assessment, government relations, and communications.
MR JIANG BIN
Director General of Foreign Affairs Office, Chengdu Municipal People's Government
Mr. Jiang Bin was born in September 1966. He graduated from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China with the Ph.D of Engineering in electronic materials and components.
1983.09—1987.07 Undergraduate study at Chengdu Telecommunications Engineering College 1987.07—1989.09 Counselor of Chengdu Telecommunications Engineering College
1989.09—1992.01 Postgraduate study in Department of Electronic Materials and Components, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
1992.01—1995.03 Ph.D. study in Department of Electronic Materials andComponents, Faculty of Microelectronics and Solid StateElectronics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
1995.03—2001.10 Assistant to the teacher and dean of Faculty of Microelectronics and Solid State Electronics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (From 1998.01 to 1999.01 study in Bosch Research Center, Stuttgart, Germany as a visiting scholar)
2001.10—2002.09 Vice Dean of Faculty of Microelectronics and Solid StateElectronics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
2002.09—2008.05 Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Department & Director of Hong Kong, Macao and TaiwanOffice of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
2008.05—2008.10 Deputy Director of Investment and Service Bureau of Chengdu High-tech Zone (presided over the work)
2008.10—2013.01 Director of Bureau of Investment Services of the ChengduHigh-tech Industrial Development Zone
2013.01—2015.01 Director of Chengdu Investment PromotionCommission&Director of Chengdu Investment Promotion Center
2015.01—2017.07 Deputy Director of Sichuan Tianfu New Area
2017.07— Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Chengdu Municipal People's Government
CONSUL-GENERAL MS ADELLE NEARY
Australian Consulate-General in Chengdu
Ms Neary is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously served overseas in Vientiane and Jakarta. In Canberra she has undertaken high profile work associated with the MH17 flight disaster as well as contributing to the work of the Foreign Policy White Paper Taskforce. She also served as an Adviser, International Division, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Ms Neary speaks Mandarin and holds a Bachelor of International Studies; a Bachelor of Laws (Honours); and a Bachelor of Science (Jurisprudence) from the University of Adelaide; and, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law (NSW).
MS JULIE XIULI SONG
Group Manager – China Relations, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd
Julie has almost 40 years’ experience in the mining and resources sector including 13 years with the Chinese government and a Chinese research institute (include China Metallurgical Information and Standardization Institute) based in Beijing. Julie has also held a number of roles with global mining company Rio Tinto in China as well as Australia from 1997 to 2019, over 22 years. She was appointed to her current position with Fortescue Metals Group based in Perth, Western Australia in May 2020.
Julie has extensive experience and a proven record in stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, business development, sales and marketing, executive training, public relations, media relations, as well as crisis management and communication.
She is committed to promote business to business and people to people communication between Australia and China. She has been awarded the Australia China Alumina Awards for Women in Leadership in 2013 and Outstanding and Sustaining Contributions Award Individual Service to ACBC WA in Sept. 2023.
Julie is passionate and enthusiastic in trying new things, a warm-hearted and inspiring leader with a "can do" attitude and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
H.E. MR GRAHAM FLETCHER
Australia's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
Graham Fletcher has been Australia's Ambassador to China since August 2019.
Prior to this appointment, Mr Fletcher was head of the North Asia Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) during 2008-10 and again from 2015.
During 2014, he led the team that completed negotiation of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Mr Fletcher has served in the Australian Embassy to China on three previous occasions: as Third Secretary (1986-88), Counsellor (1997-2000) and Deputy Head of Mission (2004-08).
He was also Deputy Head of Mission in the Australian Embassy in Washington (2011-2013) and Deputy Consul-General in the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea (1992-1994)
Mr Fletcher has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Sydney. He joined the then Department of Foreign Affairs in 1983. He is married with three children.
MR SCOTT GARDINER
Projects and Project Finance Specialist
Scott is a projects and project finance specialist with over 25 years’ experience. He supports clients across a wide range of industries including project development and financing, private M&A and restructurings.
Scott established the firm’s “New Energy Future” team. Scott and his team have brought together expertise in climate change, data and energy to explore the myriad of disruptive changes transforming the energy industry.
Most recently, Scott has spent 2 years on secondment to the AIIB, working on energy and infrastructure projects in Cambodia, Indonesia (satellite PPP), Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, the Philippines and India. Scott has been recommended as a leading lawyer in various directories, including Chambers Global and PLC Which Lawyer.
MS BESSIE ZHANG
Partner | ShineWing Audit
Bessie has more than 17 years’ professional experience. She led audit and advisory teams for IPO projects and multinational clients covering a wide variety of industries including mining, industrial market, consumer market and service industry.
Prior to joining SW, Bessie was appointed the Chief Financial Officer for an ASX listed mining company which equipped her with extensive corporate governance and risk management experience.
Bessie has a wealth of professional experience and an extensive background in accounting, audit and management.
Bessie’s experience includes:
Understanding both Australian accounting standards (AIFRs) and PRC GAAPs. Bessie has been qualified for Australia and China’s CPA for more than 10 years and 16 years respectively. She is familiar with PRC GAAPs and international financial reporting standards (IFRS)
Knowledge in managing international companies. Bessie has led auditing and advisory engagements involving national and international companies.
Understanding the financial impact and risk management perspectives of sales and purchase agreements
Liaising with ASIC and responding to ASIC’s financial reporting surveillance inspection requirements
Bessie is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.
MR SIYAO JIANG
Managing Partner, ERM China
Mr. Siyao Jiang is the Managing Partner for ERM China. ERM is one of the largest global pure-play sustainability consultancy, with over 8,000 consultants across more than 40 countries. Based in Shanghai, Siyao takes overarching responsibilities for ERM’s environmental and social consulting, climate change services, sustainable finance and transaction advisory practices, and facilitates clients’ ESG and Low Carbon Energy Transition journey. Meanwhile, Siyao also leads the Greater China banking and finance sector for ERM across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Siyao has been a seasoned banker with nearly twenty years of track records across corporate and investment banking, central bank and public policy, and ESG investments. Prior to joining ERM, Siyao was based in Hong Kong and led the French bank Natixis’s project financing business in North Asia across natural resources, renewable energy, petrochemical, infrastructure, PPPs, telecommunication, and agricultural sectors. Siyao started his professional career at Australia’s central bank, the Reserve Bank, to manage the foreign exchange and gold reserves on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. He has gained international experience in China mainland and HK, UK, and Australia with Macquarie Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and QBE Insurance Group.
Siyao is a historian and economist by training with rigorous master’s degrees in Medieval History (Oxford) and International Law (USYD) and bachelor’s degrees in Economics (1st Honours, Macquarie) and Actuarial Science (Macquarie). Siyao is fluent in Chinese and English, and converses French and Italian. Siyao is passionate about the global exchange of civilisation, culture, and commodities; he is currently pursuing part-time doctoral research in medieval global history, at the University of Oxford. Siyao is a qualified sommelier in wine, sake, and whisky.
DR FAN FAN
Vice Chairperson, Olymvax Biopharmaceuticals Inc
Dr. Fan Fan is the Vice Chairperson of Olymvax Biopharmaceuticals Inc and the Director of Olymvax's Research Institute.
She holds a Bachelor's degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, a Master's degree from Imperial College London, and a Ph.D. in Legal History from Southwest University of Political Science and Law. Dr. Fan joined Olymvax in 2010 and has held various positions, including Assistant to the General Manager, Board Secretary, and Executive Deputy General Manager. She played a pivotal role in introducing a Category 1 new drug project with Griffith University, Australia, marking Queensland's first overseas academic-enterprise collaboration with China. Dr. Fan Fan has been recognised as a high-demand high-end talent by Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone.
She also serves as the Executive Committee Member of the Supply Chain Branch of the China Vaccine Industry Association and as a member of the Meningococcal Disease Prevention and Control Branch of the China Vaccine Industry Association. Dr. Fan has been honoured with the "Golden Panda" Talent Award from Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone.
MR ANDY LIU
General Manager, Novotech China
Andy is currently the General Manager of Novotech China. Andy has extensive operational experience in the CRO industry and a deep understanding of the Asian market. He has worked at LabCorp (Covance), a global CRO, for over ten years in various executive positions. Prior to joining Novotech Health Holdings, he was the General Manager of Covance Central Laboratory (Asia Pacific), where he managed a multi-functional team of approximately 500 employees across multiple regions.
He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University.
MS CHELSEA REN
CEO, Icon Cancer Centre China
As the leader of Icon’s cancer services in China, Chelsea brings together the best aspects of Chinese and Australian cancer care to improve services in the region.
Chelsea holds a Master of Business Administration from Peking University and has over 10 years’ experience in healthcare services management, with a particular focus on business planning and operational management. Her in-depth knowledge of private hospital sectors and extensive experience collaborating with public hospitals and medical teams has supported the successful delivery of healthcare services across China.
During her career, Chelsea has established a number of significant healthcare services including a hospital-based neurosurgical service, the development of primary care clinics from business model through to operation, a rehabilitation hospital, and numerous oncology centres which encompassed surgical, radiation and medical oncology services.
With a passion for delivering quality healthcare in China and improving working conditions for Chinese healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, technicians and administration staff, Chelsea is well-placed to lead Icon Group’s growth within the Chinese market.
MS SILVA LIN
Business Development Leader (West China), Woods Bagot
Silva Lin has been involved in foreign-related business for a decade, and used to serve as Regional Manager of CPG Corporation (Singapore) and Assistant to Consul General/ Social Secretary of Consulate General of Pakistan in Chengdu.
Since joining Woods Bagot in early 2019, she has been actively promoting Australian leading design capabilities and cooperation with local partners in West China, especially in her hometown Chengdu.
MR HAO FENG
Vice President, Sichuan Yingxiang Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Mr Hao Feng was born in August 1986, in Zigong, Sichuan Province. He holds a bachelor's degree and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at the China Europe International Business School. Mr Feng is the Vice President of Sichuan Yingxiang Industrial Group Co., Ltd., and the General Manager of Sichuan Changzheng Machine Tool Group Co., Ltd.
He has served as a member of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee in Ziliujing District, a deputy to the Nineteenth People's Congress in Ziliujing District, a member of the Sixteenth CPPCC National Committee in Zigong City, and a standing committee member of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Industrial and Commercial Federation in Zigong City. Mr Feng is also the Chairman of the Building Materials and Home Furnishings Chamber of Commerce in Zigong City, a director of the Zigong City Care for the Next Generation Foundation, and a director of the Zigong City Red Cross.
Mr Feng maintains a firm political stance and supports the leadership of the Communist Party of China. He steadfastly implements the party's line, principles, and policies, actively responds to government calls, shoulders social responsibilities, and participates in philanthropic activities such as supporting education, aiding the needy, and caring for employees. In recent years, he has organised and participated in group donations totalling over 2.61 million yuan and made personal donations exceeding 528,000 yuan. He has been recognised as the third annual economic figure in Zigong City and received the "Ambassador of Love" award from Zigong City's Care for the Next Generation initiative.
DR ANDY ZHENG
Founder and Chief Scientist, PAIR CITY
Andy is the Founder and Chief Scientist of PAIR CITY. Andy founded PAIR CITY with the vision of providing affordable, fast, and green mobility choices in a people-centric smart city. Similar to the “Microsoft Windows” operating system, PAIR’s cloud-based MaaS platform can be quickly ready for city-level services within 1 week after deploying the software in the transport data centre. PAIR also built the MaaS transport service for the FISU World University Games in Chengdu in July 2023, where 90% of trips were booked via the MaaS app (rather than via the transportation desk).
Andy is also an adjunct fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities in Singapore, lending his insights on the Smart Scaling initiative that believes in inclusive and scalable smart city innovations. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley in 2014.
MR ROCCO MALARETT
Ecopreneur and the Co-founder, 八点以后 ZeroFoodWaste
Rocco is an Ecopreneur and the Co-founder of 八点以后ZeroFoodWaste (founded 2022). This WeChat mini-program fights food waste connecting consumers with businesses that have surplus or close to expiration date products.
He is also the Co-founder of Zero Waste Chengdu (founded in 2020), a company that assists government entities, businesses, schools, and communities in reducing their waste and adopting more sustainable practices.
Rocco is a Circular Economy Educational Specialist from Lund University, Sweden, and a GBCI-certified zero waste advisor.
MR CHUNJING MAO
Chief Digital Designer, Schneider Electric (China) & Tianqi Lithium Expert
Chunjing Mao is the Chief Digital Designer at Schneider Electric (China) Co., Ltd. He holds an MBA from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University, and a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation from Tsinghua University.
With extensive experience in digitization, Mr. Mao previously served as the CIO&CTO of China Yuantong Express Co., Ltd. and also as a senior product director at IBM technology partner in the United States. He focuses on integrating digital technologies with sustainable development, which has been instrumental in helping improve energy efficiency and productivity.
MS ARIEL CAO
North Asia Director, RPMGlobal
Ariel is a marketing and business professional with a MBA focused on business management jointly awarded by the University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne and the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE). She has worked in both downstream and upstream of natural resources sectors. Working with RPMGlobal since 2008, Ariel is the North Asia Director of RPMGlobal and is responsible for oversight and leadership of the regional business development and alignment of the company’s global capability to achieve sustainable growth throughout the region and provide a value-added service to help Clients’ mining investments, operations, and enhanced competitiveness under energy transition through RPMGlobal’s technical consultancy services and a suite of world-leading technology and software solutions.
Ariel is a problem solver passionate about managing comprehensive communications in different cross-cultural environments and providing practical solutions to facilitate project implementation and attainment of goals. She has worked with mining SOEs and POEs across the broad realms of Asia (including China, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines) as well as all levels of technical bureaus and financial institutes. Ariel is a proactive member and sponsor for the industry’s growth. She is the Deputy Chair of the Global Mining Association of China (GMAC), representing the international mining community in China and promoting collaboration between Chinese and international mining companies and individuals. Ariel divides her time with family between China and Australia.
MR CLIFF ZHANG
VP Manufacturing, Chengdu, Cochlear Medical Device (Chengdu) Co., Ltd
Cliff Zhang serves as the VP Manufacturing, Chengdu at Cochlear Ltd.
Cliff Zhang is in charge of the Cochlear Chengdu team, overseeing the implementation of Cochlear global business development strategy and ensuring its effectiveness. He is responsible for developing and implementing medium to long-term business strategies for Cochlear Chengdu, ensuring safety production, employee health, and environmental responsibility. Cliff is accountable for achieving key performance indicators, including personnel development, product quality, customer satisfaction, production capacity, and cost control. He also ensures product quality compliance and continuous improvement of customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Cliff focuses on enhancing operational performance and cost efficiency through innovation and lean production to maintain a competitive advantage.
Prior to joining Cochlear, Cliff Zhang had worked for several large multinational medical device companies, such as Johnson & Johnson Medical and Smith & Nephew Medical, in managerial roles, accumulating extensive experience in manufacturing management within the medical device industry.