2025.11.21
On 20 November, the Grandview Institution(GVI) delegation returned to Sydney to continue its visits to Australian think tank institutions.
The Australia–China Relations Institute (ACRI) is Australia’s first and only independent, non-partisan research institute dedicated to the study of Australia–China relations. Specializing in economic, media, and energy policy research related to China and Australia, ACRI aims to promote public discussion beyond the academic community. During the meeting on the morning of the 20th with the Director James Laurence, Deputy Director Sun Wanning, and Chief Research Fellow Shi Xunpeng—who also serves as President of the International Association for Energy Transition Studies—the ACRI representatives noted that Australia’s professional capacity and expertise in China studies are in decline. Government inquiries indicate that Australia faces a significant shortage of China specialists in the business, research, and policy sectors. ACRI believes that the deepening of Australia–China relations enjoys broad public support in Australia, and that the country should adopt a more prudent and responsible approach to bilateral and multilateral affairs to create new opportunities for the development of Australia–China relations.
On the afternoon of the 20th, the GVI delegation visited the Lowy Institute, one of Australia’s most prominent think tanks, for in-depth discussions with Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow for East Asia; Sam Roggeveen, Director of the International Security Program; Mihai Sora, Director of the Pacific Islands Program; Oliver Nobetau, Research Fellow with the Australia–Papua New Guinea Network; and Jennifer Parker, Nonresident Fellow. The two sides explored the emerging dynamics of China–U.S. strategic competition, China’s new initiatives regarding the South China Sea, considerations surrounding the regional security architecture, and the evolving trilateral relations among China, Australia, and the United States. Experts on the Australian side noted that Australia’s role as a mediator in easing China–U.S. tensions is constrained by its alliance with the United States and by the tendency for Beijing and Washington to engage primarily at the bilateral level. Nevertheless, they emphasized that maintaining regional stability remains a shared priority for all parties.
Founded in Sydney in 2003, the Lowy Institute is a leading international affairs think tank in the Asia–Pacific region. It is widely known for its flagship publications, including the Asia Power Index and the Global Diplomacy Index. Its polling and research are frequently cited by policymakers around the world. With a strong focus on China–Australia relations and broader regional dynamics, the Institute provides key insights on issues central to the bilateral relationship and serves as an influential platform shaping policy dialogue between the two countries.
During its visit to Australia, the GVI delegation held in-depth discussions with multiple government departments, independent think tanks, and university research institutions on the domestic drivers, external factors, and future dynamics shaping the development of China–Australia relations. The delegation also reached preliminary agreements with several counterparts on cooperation frameworks and project concepts. Going forward, GVI will advance regularized cooperation with Australian think tanks by focusing on deepening bilateral relations, enhancing mutual understanding and exchanges, strengthening communication and capacity-building between professional communities, and promoting youth engagement between the two countries. These efforts aim to provide sustained think tank support for practical cooperation and the continued development of China–Australia relations across multiple sectors.