The ACYD is delighted to announce the delegates for the 2015 Dialogue
Matt Baker
Australian delegate
Matt Baker is a biophysicist based at the Victor Chang Institute and the Centre for Single Molecule Science at UNSW, in Sydney. He studies the origins and function of the bacterial flagellar motor - the remarkable nanomachine that rotates the propellers that makes most bacteria swim.
Matt finished a BSc (Hons) at the Australian National University and was subsequently awarded a John Monash Scholarship to complete his DPhil in Physics at Oxford University. He returned home to Sydney in 2013, and began collaborating extensively with the Biodynamics Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC) at Peking University to investigate the rise of bacterial persistence and antibiotic resistance.
Matt thoroughly enjoys outreach and science communication. He has performed his science poetry at music festivals in Europe and Australia and, in 2015, Matt was awarded an ABC ‘Top 5 Under 40’ fellowship to produce content for Australia’s national broadcaster. Matt also fences épeé for Australia and in 2014 he represented Australia at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships. Indeed, Matt has lost many bouts to excellent fencers from China, and is embarrassed that he does not currently speak Mandarin, but will not let this prevent him forging new scientific and social links between Australia and China.
Jeremy Brownlie Griffith University Fellow
Australian delegate
Jeremy Brownlie is a research scientist and Deputy Head of the School of Natural Sciences at Griffith University, Brisbane Australia.
His research team investigates the impact bacteria have on sleep and human health. Jeremy is the Deputy Head of the School of Natural Sciences at Griffith University, responsible for the School’s research, international and community engagement activities. He has brokered agreements between Griffith University and five Chinese Universities that deliver education and research partnerships focused on Energy production and storage, Food security, and Drug discovery. By working in collaboration, Griffith University and its Chinese partners seek to address some of the major social and economic challenges facing China and Australia now and in the coming years.
Jeremy is the Secretary for Science and Technology Australia, the national peak body that represents Australia’s 68,000 Government, University and Industry based scientists and technologists, and promotes their views on a wide range of policy issues to all levels of government and the broader community.
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a PhD (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) from the Australian National University, and was a University of Queensland Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 2003-2008.
Chen Jian International Department, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Chinese delegate
Chen Jian is currently Third Secretary in the Division of Oceanian Affairs, Bureau VII (North American, UK, Oceanian & Nordic Affairs) of the International Department of Central Committee, Communist Party of China (IDCPC). His work focuses on promoting exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and the political parties in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island Countries and policy analysis concerning China's relations with those countries.
Prior to joining IDCPC in 2012, Jian worked as an IT management specialist in the Head Office of Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), involving in designing of office automation projects and IT appraisal management within the bank.
Jian holds degrees in diplomacy from Renmin University of China (RUC). He earned his Master of Law (majored in diplomacy) in 2009 and Bachelor of Law (majored in diplomacy) in 2007. Jian is passionate about China-Australia relationship and is keen to develop and focus his understanding on Australian history and politics. He hopes to gain deeper insights into the importance and influence of the bilateral ties through getting more involved in the people-to-people exchanges.
Ming Deng
Chinese delegate
Ming Deng is currently a Network Technical Expert at Telstra responsible for managing the network services and infrastructure for Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a $1 billion managed service contract. Ming has been engaged in professional services in the ICT, Mining and Telecommunication industry across Australia, China, USA and New Zealand for over 5 years. These opportunities, and his early life in Guangzhou China, sparked his interest and passion in Australia-China relations.
Ming is the Co-Founder of uSharity, a social enterprise that aims to bridge the gap between business and charity to boost their fundraising capacity. Ming is also a Committee Executive of the Australia-China Young Professionals Initiative, and was guest speaker on SBS Chinese Radio Program “正在行动” on the topic of “How the Australian Mining industry can face China’s economic transition” for his insights on the Mining industry.
In May 2015, Ming was one of the delegates of the Trade Mission to Israel which was organised by the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce. The trip deepened Ming’s understanding on Israel’s unique innovative and entrepreneurial eco-system and broaden his vision and thinking on global innovation and collaboration.
Born in Guangzhou, Ming came to Australia to study in 2008. He graduated with a Masters in IT at University of Technology, Sydney. To gain deeper understanding of Australia, Ming participated in the UTS:BUiLD Leadership program in 2009 and worked for Sydney International FIFA Fan Festival 2010 as a volunteer.
John Fan
Chinese delegate
Dr John Fan is a Lecturer in Finance at Griffith Business School. John's research interests include asset pricing, behavioural finance, alternative investments, sustainable finance and investments in superannuation. John is currently working on a project with a team of researchers at Griffith University and Peking University to model the price of carbon emissions in the pilot phase of China’s emissions trading system. John has provided research consulting work for asset management and advisory firms based in Sydney and Brisbane.
John received a PhD in Finance and a BFin with First Class Honours from Griffith University, during which he was awarded multiple university and industry scholarships in excess of AUD110,000. John’s honours dissertation is published by the Australian Journal of Management and his doctoral work is published by the Journal of Banking & Finance, both of which are leading finance journals. He is also a frequent presenter at universities and international conferences. John has taught extensively in a wide range of finance courses covering Money Banking and Finance, Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, Financial Institutions Management, Risk Management, Multinational Business Finance and Investments in Financial Planning. He has recently been awarded the Griffith University Excellent Teacher for 2014.
Feng Jinheng
Chinese delegate
Jinheng Feng, PhD candidate at Bond University Faculty of Law, is a co-founder of the city-wide Gold Coast Chinese Students and Scholars Association (GCCSSA) and the current Chair of the GCCSSA Scholars Subcommittee.
Jinheng is a recipient of the Australian Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Award for his doctoral research from 2012 to 2016 in Australia. He was also a recipient of the German Chancellor Fellowship from 2011 to 2012, and is one of the very few German Humboldt Scholars in legal science in Australia.
Prior to coming to Australia in 2012, Jinheng had had around ten years working experience in tourism and education. He was the project manager of an intercultural communications project sponsored by the German National Association for Student Affairs and the Robert Bosch Foundation from 2010 to 2011. Jinheng holds degrees in German Literature and Law from both China and Germany. He has study and working experience in China, Germany and Australia, and is fluent in three languages. Apart from his research interest in law, Jinheng has a strong interest in promoting intercultural communications, and is currently serving as the Gold Coast Mayor’s International Student Ambassador for fostering the ongoing communications between Chinese community and local communities.
Scott Gigante New Colombo Plan Fellow
Australian delegate
Scott Gigante is the 2015 New Colombo Plan Fellow for China. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science at the University of Melbourne.
Scott is currently on exchange at Fudan University studying Chinese as part of a Diploma of Languages concurrent to his degree. As part of the New Colombo Plan scholarship, he is also undertaking an internship with VMware Shanghai working as a data analyst and software engineer. He is also the Secretary for the Shanghai branch of the Australia-China Youth Association for 2015-16.
Fluent in Mandarin, French, and currently studying Spanish, Scott takes particular interest in language, highlighting the importance of bilateral exchange as a founding member of an English club at his workplace whose mission is to improve local staff members’ fluency in English language and culture. Through opportunities like these, Scott is excited to be a part of continued collaboration, both in the software industry and in general, between Australia and China.
Tom Gole University of Queensland Fellow
Australian delegate
Tom Gole is a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in Melbourne. He provides strategic advice to public and private sector organisations on a range of topics, including sustainability, urban economics, digital transformation and procurement. He previously worked in BCG's New York office in the financial and energy sectors.
Prior to joining BCG, Tom earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University, where his research focused on public finance, environmental economics and political economy. Examples of his work include documenting the changes in the global financial system following the global financial crisis and their effects on the macroeconomy, studying the regional variation in the effects of climate change and developing new models of committee decision-making. He also worked with the Harvard Water Security Initiative on management of transboundary water systems.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland, both with first class honours. He has previously worked at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Reserve Bank of Australia. From 2012-2014 Tom was a delegate to the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue.
Julia Gormly
Australian delegate
Julia Gormly works in Strategic Policy Division at the Department of Defence, advising on Australia’s security interests in the Indo Pacific region and Australia’s relationships with foreign partners including China. During her time in government, Julia has supported bilateral and multilateral strategic dialogues between Australian ministers and officials and their regional counterparts.
Julia is concurrently a student at the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific, and will graduate with a Master of International Affairs in 2016. Prior to this, Julia graduated in Arts and Laws from the University of New South Wales and was admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Julia has a strong interest in regional defence and security matters and in Australia China relations. She believes a robust and resilient relationship benefits both countries and looks forward to exploring innovative ways to advance shared interests at the 2015 Australia-China Youth Dialogue.
Julia is also passionate about learning and teaching other languages. Julia is a French and Spanish speaker and previously taught English as a second language. Julia is currently studying Mandarin and looks forward to putting her new skills to work with her fellow delegates.
Hu Dan Foundation for Australian Studies in China Fellow
Chinese delegate
Ms. HU Dan teaches Australian Economy and Its Economic Relations with China, Legal Translation, Interpretation and other BA and MA courses at the School of English and International Studies. She has been doing research on China-Australia relations, especially on the economic front. Her PhD thesis, which is to be completed, examines China's investment in Australia during the Labour government and the latter's FDI policy and approach towards China.
Ms. Hu was delegate to the 2015 China Australia Millennial Project ChAFTA Thinktank, exploring opportunities and challenges faced by businesses with the signing of Free Trade Agreement. Ms. Hu is now chairing and participating in several projects on China’s investment in Australia and Australia’s investment policy, with funding from the National Social Science Fund, ACC, Information Center for Worldwide Asia Research and BFSU. She has also commented on related issues on media, including China Central Television and (Australia) Financial Review.
Jane Kerr
Australian delegate
Jane’s passion for China and empowering people to understand different cultures is founded on her upbringing in PNG and the Solomon Islands. She learnt Mandarin from a young age and moved to Australia at 15, going on to receive a Bachelor of International Business and Bachelor of Asian and International Studies (majoring in Mandarin) with Class One Honours from Griffith University. She also undertook exchanges at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Peking University – specialising in Chinese language and culture.
She is presently in the final stages of submitting her PhD dissertation at Griffith titled ‘Developing China’s Managers of Tomorrow’ which specifically examines the career management of the one child policy generation at some of the largest hotel chains operating in China. Throughout her PhD and Honours, Jane spent annually up to three months in China and Hong Kong conducting interviews and research.
After five years as a lecturer and tutor teaching international management courses at Griffith, Jane joined Asialink Business as the Research Manager in July 2014. She has been the project manager and lead researcher of inaugural projects including the recently launched country starter packs designed to assist Australian businesses to understand and navigate individual markets such as China.
Ayesha de Kretser
Australian delegate
Ayesha de Kretser started her career as a journalist in Shanghai in early 2004, covering foreign business and investment issues for a range of publications. As China Steel and Raw Materials Editor for Steel Business Briefing, she developed strong relationships with Chinese steel behemoths and appreciation of the environmental and political issues at the core of China’s industrial development.
Covering the Chinese, Australian and Indian steel, iron ore and coking coal industries from Shanghai as prices soared alongside trade tensions, Ayesha spent almost five years in China deepening her expertise before relocating to Sydney to cover resources and commodities for The Australian Financial Review newspaper in mid-2008. During her five years at the AFR, Ayesha broke numerous stories about iron ore, which had become the Australia-China trade relationship’s most contentious battle.
In 2013 she was asked to join ANZ’s media relations team and again given the opportunity to use her experience and knowledge of China as the bank’s super regional expansion gathered pace, largely driven by the trade opportunity presented by Chinese growth. A year later she was promoted to the role of Head of International Communications and relocated to Hong Kong, where she manages a team of staff from ten countries including China.
Edwina Kwan
Australian delegate
Edwina specialises in cross-border disputes with an emphasis on international arbitration and commercial litigation. She is currently based in Sydney and has also practiced in Beijing, Hong Kong and Perth.
Edwina advises commercial clients, governments and state owned entities in the private equity, telecommunications, construction, energy & resources, banking & finance and international trade sectors and has experience representing clients in international arbitration proceedings before tribunals in a number of jurisdictions including China, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden, India, Cambodia and Mongolia. Prior to working in the corporate sector, Edwina worked on a landmark Native Title case in Western Australia and was an advisor to the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department on national security matters, including providing legal advice on the status of Australian detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
She has also been active as a pro bono legal advisor to asylum seekers on Christmas Island. Edwina is a Co-founder of the China Young Arbitration Group in Beijing, a guest lecturer for the Masters of Law program in International Arbitration and Dispute Settlement at Tsinghua University and a guest lecturer for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. Edwina is admitted in New South Wales, Hong Kong and the High Court of Australia and speaks English and Mandarin.
Frankie Leung ANZ Fellow
Australian delegate
Frankie Leung is currently a Relationship Manager in ANZ’s Corporate & Commercial Banking division in Brisbane. He manages a portfolio of clients operating in various industries which include importers/exporters, manufacturers, retailers, professional services, property investors & developers. In this role, he has assisted clients in expanding into Asia by connecting them to ANZ’s offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai as part of ANZ’s Super Regional strategy. Frankie has also managed a lot of the inbound investment into Australia.
Frankie studied Actuarial Science at the University of Toronto and has worked in both Toronto and Hong Kong before deciding to settle back to Brisbane where he grew up.
He is passionate about strengthening the Australia-China relationship with the recent signing of the China Australia Free Trade Agreement as he sees the opportunities between the two markets. It is now up to the new generation of young leaders to drive a successful outcome.
Lin Yiming China Institute of Contemporary International Relations
Chinese delegate
Lin Yiming, 24, a researcher at the Beijing-based think tank China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), mainly focuses on Pakistan and South Asia issues.
He has taken part in various research projects and in preparing reports/papers for CICIR and other institutions on South Asia and counter-terrorism related issues, including International Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Yearbook 2013/14, Strategic and Security Review 2014/15, The Handbook of Country Risk 2015, etc.
Previously he obtained B.A. Degree from Peking University (PKU) in 2014 majoring in Urdu Language and Literature at Department of South Asian Studies. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and an officially recognised regional language of India, while also serves as the lingua franca in northern India and elsewhere in the Subcontinent for Muslims. He also holds B.S. Degree with Double Major in Economics from National School of Development, PKU.
Liu Sijia (Scarlett)
Chinese delegate
Sijia has extensive experience within different UN agencies internationally on pioneering projects and a legal background from Renmin University of China. She currently works in UNICEF China working on a national child poverty alleviation project, which is a partnership between UNICEF China and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.
Previously, she worked for UN Women Preventing and Eliminating Domestic Violence against Women Programme, which gained prominence in Asia and the Pacific where she presented on the project’s behalf to the United Nations Development Program in Istanbul for their Global Consultation in 2011. She subsequently was a consultant working for the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok, during which she was responsible for providing technical support to research on national policy of regional countries, and multilateral negotiations.
Sijia Liu also has a strong interest in Chinese traditional culture. In 2012, she was invited to a talk show on CCTV as a guest speaker about Chinese traditional masterpiece. She was also the host of Global Chinese Competition (Hanyu Qiao) organized by Ministry of Education of China, which was held in British Museum, UK and broadcasted on CCTV.
Nengye Liu
Chinese delegate
Dr Nengye Liu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of New England, Australia.
Prior to moving to Australia, he was based in Europe for eight years. Dr Liu completed his PhD in Law at Ghent University (Belgium). Following his PhD, he was first awarded a postdoctoral fellowship by the "Future Ocean" Cluster of Excellence, University of Kiel (Germany), then a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship by the European Commission, hosted by the University of Dundee (UK).
Dr Liu's research interests include the law of the sea, international environmental law, Chinese law and European Union law. He has more than 40 single/first authored publications in both English and Chinese. Moreover, he has presented his research results in more than 20 countries across 5 continents.
Dr Liu is a qualified Chinese lawyer with working experience at King & Wood Mallesons, the China International Trade and Economic Arbitration Commission and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. He also holds a bachelor of law and a master of international economic law from Wuhan University, China.
Rosie Luo
Chinese delegate
Rosie Luo is a member of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets team in Greater China. She has played an important role in the acquisition and asset management of several infrastructure assets in China, particularly in the water industry. Rosie has also supported investor relations and fundraising process. Rosie held a master degree from Peking University and a bachelor degree from Tsinghua University.
Pan Jiayuan
Chinese delegate
Jiayuan Pan is an advisor within the external affairs team of Rio Tinto China, and currently assists with the delivery of the company’s China stakeholder engagement strategy, particularly engagement with Chinese government and business partners. She is skilled in multiple disciplines within the extractives industry including government and corporate relations, policy and sustainable development, with special insights into the Australian and Chinese market. She was heavily involved in multiple Australia-China joint ventures and partnerships, working with an extensive network of Chinese business partners and government bodies.
A firm believer in partnerships, she is also an active promoter of regional dialogues between the Australia business and its major markets including China, Japan, South Korea, India and other ASEAN countries. She enjoys working with a diverse network of people in a multi-cultural context, and is a passionate supporter of cross-cultural exchanges. She aspires to establish deeper and more extensive relationships within the Australia-China circle, and contribute to the long-term mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.
Jiayuan possesses a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Tsinghua University.
Scott Reid
Australian delegate
Scott Reid, a qualified lawyer and chartered company secretary has been active in the Australia – China relationship for 15 years. Full undergraduate scholarships to attend Tsinghua University and Harbin Institute of Technology in 2001 provided the foundation to learn Mandarin and presaged a successful legal and business career in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Scott got his start while still a student at the University of Newcastle assisting local firms engage with China. Local ‘Millennium Train’ contractor Transform Composites employed Scott to facilitate discussions with China suppliers. The Newcastle Stock Exchange hired Scott to assist building their China profile. Also, several Hunter Valley based mining services firms used Scott to assist the sale of coal industry technology to China.
Post-graduation, Scott’s part-time hobby grew into a full time career. Initially working as a lawyer in Newcastle at Moray and Agnew his first client was a China based mining conglomerate. Scott also advised coal exporters and coal supply chain firms on their China related activities and served as an Advisory Director and Trade Missions Committee Chair of the Hunter Export Centre (a NSW Government initiative).
In 2007 Scott relocated to Hong Kong to work for top tier Australian law firm Mallesons and this provided opportunities to advise global businesses on their China activities. During the subsequent decade Scott established law firm and fiduciary businesses in Shanghai and advised Chinese investment funds on their outbound investment activities. Scott recently served as advisor to well-regarded Sydney based fund manager, EG Funds Management in relation to their China fund raising activities.
Kate Robertson Corrs Chamber Westgarth Fellow
Australian delegate
Kate is a lawyer based in Brisbane, Queensland.
As an Associate in Corrs Chambers Wesgarth’s construction practice, Kate works closely with both government and private sector clients on the procurement and delivery of major infrastructure projects, with a focus on Public Private Partnerships. Kate has particular expertise in advising on significant road and rail infrastructure projects.
Prior to joining Corrs, Kate worked for several years as a Legal Advisor in the Legal Branch of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. In that role, she advised the Premier and the Department’s executive team on the delivery significant Victorian transport infrastructure projects.
Kate holds Bachelor’s degrees in Law and Music from the University of Melbourne. She plays the piano and clarinet, and performed with the University of Melbourne Orchestra whilst studying at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
Kate has a long-held interest in China and has visited the country several times. As a projects lawyer, she is particularly interested in the Asia Pacific infrastructure gap and the role that both China and Australia will play in facilitating the delivery of priority infrastructure projects in the region.
Kate is conversationally fluent in Mandarin, having studied for a number of years at the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland.
Kate Smith University of Melbourne Fellow
Australian delegate
Kate graduated with a BA/BSc from the University of Melbourne in 2010 and left for China for the start of four and a half years spent working and studying in Nanning, Taipei and Beijing. In 2013, she received the prestigious John Monash Scholarship to begin a Masters of Environmental Engineering at Tsinghua University and was recently awarded the university's Outstanding Thesis award for her final dissertation. She is currently continuing her studies at Tsinghua University through a PhD in Environmental Engineering.
The connection between water and energy, and the modelling of urban water supply infrastructure are currently the main focuses of Kate's research. Her research received Best Presentation Award at the 2014 International Water Association Young Water Professionals Conference. She supplements her studies with experience leading water filter projects in rural areas of northern China as President of a student-based organisation called RISE.
To enhance the experience of international students at Tsinghua University and those returning to Beijing from the University of Melbourne, Kate is also part of the Tsinghua Postgraduate Education Advisory Committee and the University of Melbourne Alumni Association (Beijing).
Kate grew up in Cairns, Queensland.
Ross Tan
Australian delegate
Ross is a young scholar and serial entrepreneur who is passionate about sustainable consumerism, international education and cultural exchange, with particular focus on Australia-China relations.
Ross is a co-founder of Australian Natural, the first specialist importer of Australian organic and biodynamic premium wines and fine foods into China, at the forefront of fast-growing “affordable luxury” and “green lifestyle” segments within China’s consumer market.
Whilst at Australian National University, Ross served on the editorial staff of the East Asia Forum and the Federal Law Review, and was an active member of ACYA during its earliest days. He also received numerous scholarships and awards, including the ANU National Undergraduate Scholarship, five ANU Law Prizes and the 2014 Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award. For his Endeavour Award, Ross undertook fieldwork research for his Asian Studies Honours thesis exploring the lived experiences of Australian students at Chinese universities. This thesis was subsequently awarded First-Class Honours and currently in the process of being published.
Ross is also applying his research findings in practice, recently founding a brand new non-profit service provider, Orient Abroad, which offers professional on-the-ground support and mentoring to Australians studying abroad in Asia on behalf of the Australian Government and universities.
Nicole Thomas Foundation for Australian Studies in China Fellow
Australian delegate
Nicole Thomas is a resource and energy policy specialist with extensive international experience and a keen interest in China’s economy and culture.
Nicole is currently the Manager of the Energy Markets Team in the Office of the Chief Economist within the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. She has recently published the Review of the socioeconomic impacts of coal seam gas in Queensland and is involved in analysis of international LNG markets and issues, including the fundamentals of China’s gas demand.
Prior to this, Nicole was the Resources and Energy Counsellor at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, undertaking outreach and liaison with the Indian government and private sector where energy challenges loom large. She has an extensive network of contacts in the resources and energy sectors, both in Australia and internationally, including through previous policy roles responsible for offshore petroleum exploration, carbon capture and storage, and mine safety.
Nicole’s interest in China was sparked when she visited Beijing and Hebei Province as project manager for the Australia-China Coal Mine Safety Demonstration Project. She is currently focussing on the Chinese economy as part of her Master of Resource and Energy Economics, and is also learning Mandarin.
Li Wang
Australian delegate
Dr. Li Wang received a B. Eng. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Shandong University in P.R. China, and her Ph.D. in Engineering from Griffith University, Australia. Dr. Wang is currently a Research Fellow working at Griffith University.
Her research interests include the preparation, characterisation, and applications of post-silicon semiconductor materials, especially silicon carbide. The unique properties of SiC make it a promising material for the applications in the following area: (1) as photoelectrodes for solar water splitting cells; (2) as templates for the fabrication of energy-efficient blue light emitting diode (LED) and high electron mobility transistor (HEMT); (3) micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), such as negative temperature coefficient thermistors and strain sensors. The research projects that Dr. Wang involved in are all closely related to the industry, with an aim to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice.
Li is passionate about Australia and China’s relationship and is keen to explore the possible ways to develop win-win collaboration with Chinese universities, research centres and companies from industry. She contributed to the development of the worldwide industrial and academic collaborations across the area of material preparation, device fabrication and characterisation.
Tim Watts
Australian delegate
Tim Watts is a Federal Member of Parliament representing the seat of Gellibrand. Since being elected in 2013, he has served in a variety of positions in the Parliament including as the Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Secretary to the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. He also co-authored the book, “Two Futures: Australia at a Critical Moment” (Text Publishing) with fellow Labor MP, Clare O’Neil.
Prior to being elected in September 2013, Tim was a senior Manager at Telstra. He was also a corporate lawyer at Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Senior Advisor to former Victorian Premier John Brumby and Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Stephen Conroy. Tim holds a Masters of Science (Hons)(Politics and Communications) from the London School of Economics, a Masters of Public Policy and Management (Monash) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons, Bond).
While Tim’s ancestors arrived in Australia in the 1840s, his wife arrived in Australia from Hong Kong in the 1980s. In this way, Tim’s children are at once both second and sixth generation Australians. As a result, Tim is a passionate advocate for Australia’s harmonious multicultural society and particularly our people to people relationships with Asia.
Xiao Lei
Chinese delegate
Xiao Lei is a master student in the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University. She has also received her Bachelor's degree in English language and literature in Tsinghua University. Such a compound knowledge structure enables Xiao Lei to analyze social issues with a wider perspective.
Her academic interest in the cross-cultural study and cultural government stems from her interest in Chinese culture. She has participated in a series of culture research projects. In this summer, she has just finished her academic visiting program in Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University in the United State. These experiences further trained her critical thinking and gave her opportunities to apply knowledge in practice.
A passion for intercultural communication and understanding, especially in Australia-China relationship, has been fostered through her oversea experiences. As a Chinese youth representative and Tsinghua delegation, Xiao Lei has taken part in translational communication in Madrid, Greece, Turkey, New York, and Los Angeles. Her wish in cross-cultural communications is to see the world and let the world know and understand China better. So she is so excited in bridging the cooperation and dialogue between Australia and China to promote cultural understanding in both countries.
Xiao Lei is so interested in Australia culture and also loves Chinese culture. Through her over ten-year study in Chinese dance, she has been a professional level dancer and has performed many Chinese classic and folk dances on the international stages."
Bohua Xu
Chinese delegate
Bohua XU is currently working as assistant manager at strategy consulting group at Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL), the world leading urban development investment management firm. He has been working on a diverse range of projects across multiple sectors, including real estate development, infrastructure, agribusiness, tourism and international capital market management in China, Australia, The United States etc. Bohua is dedicated to promote the sustainable “urban ecosystem” from social, economic and environmental perspectives. Prior to working at JLL, Bohua has also worked for American Planning Association(APA), Mckinsey & Company Consulting.
Bohua has a passion for promoting the bilateral relationship between China and Australia. Bohua was the president of Chinese Students and Scholars Associate, GSD when he was studying at Harvard University. He has involved organizing a series of forums, lecture about international relations, and facilitated a large number of multilateral collaborative projects, which introduced a cultural bridge between real China and the whole world.
Academically, Mr. XU holds an MDesS (Subject in Urban Economics and Development) from Harvard University, U.S., an MLA degree(Hons) from USC, U.S. and a Bachelor of Landscape Planning Degree(Hons) from Tongji University, China.
Bohua has various hobbies, especially traveling. He has been to 45 countries and more than 135 regions and cities. He believes that travelling can change the vision and the way of seeing the world.