2010 is off to a flying start with a very full program ahead of us in the coming months, writes Australian Ambassador to China, HE, Dr Geoff Raby.

Australia’s spectacular pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo – the fruits of a joint investment of A$83 million by both the Federal Government and a number of sponsors – was launched with a grand opening on May 1. Over the next five months, a range of Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies, major corporate sponsors and supporting organisations will coordinate an active program of functions and events to promote Australia as a reliable and advantageous partner within China. The pavilion will see a host of events daily, covering the full breadth of bilateral relations and showcasing Australian innovation and know-how in sectors across the business, investment, finance, education and cultural sectors.
Information can be downloaded from the Expo website at www.australianpavilion.com.
From a broader perspective, the relationship is continuing to thrive and prosper, with the most recent statistics showing China has formally overtaken Japan as Australia’s largest trading partner, as well as second largest services export market.
In late March, the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, visited Beijing to witness the signing of Australia’s single largest export deal – an agreement between BG Group and CNOOC to purchase LNG from a coal bed methane project in Queensland. This project is an exciting new development in our already strong energy relationship with China, and marks China’s first purchase of coal bed methane LNG.
AustCham is to be warmly congratulated on its latest move towards creation of a single Greater China entity. By streamlining a range of interactions between and within the Australia-China business community, this development is certain to generate new levels of efficiency and business success.
In anticipation of a big year of Australian art and culture in 2010, the Embassy’s cultural programs got off to a flying start with another very successful Australian Writers’ Week, held consecutively in Beijing and Chengdu in March. Writers’ Week is making its mark not only as an opportunity for the Chinese reading public to engage with Australian authors, but also as a forum for Australian publishers and translators to make inroads into the burgeoning Chinese publishing industry.
IMAGINE AUSTRALIA
Early June marks the launch of Imagine Australia, the Year of Australian Culture in China, showcasing a wide range of high quality Australian arts and cultural product to Chinese audiences over a full 12 months. Imagine Australia will feature some of Australia’s finest and most innovative talents in the performing and visual arts, music, dance, literature, fashion, screen and food and wine sectors.
As a testament to the flourishing Australia- China relationship, this will be followed by a reciprocal year of Chinese culture in Australia over 2011-12. The exchange of reciprocal years has been endorsed at the highest levels of both Governments, formalised through an MOU that I had the pleasure to sign with Vice Minister for Culture Zhao Shaohua on March 19.
Events already confirmed for the year reflect the depth and breadth of Australian culture. Many have a collaborative emphasis, involving Australians based in China, Chinese- Australians living in both countries, and artistic exchanges happening at all levels from educational institutions to industry professionals. Additionally, many are focused on youth and the cultural pursuits of young Australians and Chinese. Imagine Australia will kick off with a VIP Gala Concert at the prestigious National Centre for the Performing Arts (“the Egg”) in early June, with performers including pop sensation Jessica Mauboy, violin virtuoso Niki Vasilakis, Indigenous didgeridoo artist William Barton, the world-famous Bangarra Dance Theatre, and an excerpt from the innovative Peking-Western fusion opera, Passion.
Also launching in June is a large-scale and historic exhibition of Western Desert Aboriginal art at China’s premier art gallery, the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition includes the National Museum of Australia’s stunning Papunya collection, as well as paintings from the Balgo Hills area. The largest exhibition of its kind ever to come to the mainland, the exhibition will run until the end of August – giving Chinese art lovers a unique opportunity to learn about Indigenous art, part of an art industry now worth over A$400 million annually. This is one not to be missed.
Another key aspect of Imagine Australia is regional engagement, with several activities being showcased in a variety of provinces in a concerted effort to spread the benefits of the cultural year beyond Beijing and Shanghai. Reflecting the breadth of Australia’s growing involvement across China, key events include the Song Company in Tianjin, Australian Youth Orchestra in Shanghai, an RMIT Sound and Space exhibition in Suzhou, a Cultural Infusion performance exchange project in Chengdu and Writers Week events across three cities. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
The Imagine Australia website is up and running with program information, updates and news: www.imagineaustralia.net so check out the website and get involved!
Finally, I’d like to wish all Australia China Connections magazine readers a prosperous start to the new financial year and for those travelling, as always, a safe and enjoyable summer holiday break – remember to check the Smart Traveller website at www.smarttraveller.gov.au before you fly. ■

HE, Dr Geoff Raby,
Australian Ambassador, Beijing