Australia-China High-Level Talks

The Australia-China High-Level Talks is a major project initiated by La Trobe University (the Centre for Dialogue and the Centre for China Studies) in partnership with Peking University, the Australia China Business Council and the State Government of Victoria.
The aim is to promote a deeper understanding in each country of the economic, cultural, social and political outlook of the other on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

The Australia-China High-Level Talks will be inaugurated with an intensive two day dialogue to be held in Melbourne on 23-24 November 2012. This will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It will be a unique opportunity for senior figures in the business, policy making and academic communities of the two countries to explore in a highly interactive format current and future trends, likely challenges and possible responses.

Objectives

The inaugural meeting of The Australia-China High-Level Talks will:

  • Consider policy issues that are central to the future consolidation of the Australia-China relationship;
  • Offer a forum to reflect on the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China;
  • Improve the quality and intensity of dialogue and cooperation between Australia and China, through the development of culturally sensitive policy-oriented intellectual exchanges;
  • Develop policy recommendations that are relevant to the work of government, the business sector and the academic community in key policy areas;
  • Publish and disseminate in different formats the findings and recommendations arising from the dialogue itself or research commissioned as a result of the dialogue – to be published in a range of different formats to suit different audiences in both English and Chinese;
  • Prepare the ground for a more ambitious Annual Dialogue between the two countries as a highly significant event able to attract the interest and participation of the academic, business and political communities at the highest level in both countries as a sustainable process over the longer term.

Themes and Topics

On the basis of extensive consultation, two themes have been identified as focal points for the exchange of views and information in the inaugural dialogue:

  • The challenges of economic policy, with particular reference to resources policy, including energy security and food security;
  • The role of culture, tourism and education in the development of harmonious relations both within and between countries.

Beyond these two themes, participants will have the opportunity, in both formal and informal discussion, to canvas a wider range of issues.

Participants

The aim of The Australia-China High-Level Talks is to involve:

  • Key business leaders and representatives of business peak bodies
  • Eminent scholars and experts
  • Influential and knowledgeable policy-makers
  • Serving and retired diplomats
  • Leaders in the cultural and educational sectors

The dialogue will involve approximately 15 participants from each country.
For further information contact Dr Michális S. Michael, Deputy Director, Centre for Dialogue.