2025.11.20
From 18 to 19 November, the GVI delegation traveled to Canberra for continued visit, engaging with university research institutes, independent think tanks, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Chinese Embassy in Australia. On the morning of the 18th, the delegation held its first meeting at the Australian National University with Brendan Taylor, Director of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs; Gregory Raymond, Senior Lecturer at the same school; and Mark Kenny, Director of the Australian Studies Institute. Moderated by Edward Sing Yue Chan, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian Centre on China in the World, the two sides focused on the main dynamics of China–Australia relations and exchanged views on the Taiwan question, the AUKUS framework, and regional security developments. The two sides also reached a preliminary understanding on launching future youth exchange programs.
On the afternoon of the 18th, the delegation visited the Australia Institute for discussions with Allan Behm, former adviser to the Australian foreign minister, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Frank Yuan, and others. The two sides exchanged views on deeper strategic questions such as “where is the United States headed?” and “where is China headed?” They also discussed possible frameworks for future dialogue between the two institutions on China–Australia relations, climate change, and other key issues.
On the afternoon of the 18th, the delegation also visited the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), where it held a roundtable with more than a dozen officials, including directors and secretaries from the East Asia Division, the Americas Division, the Southeast Asia Strategy and Development Division, the Maritime Division, the China External Engagement and Coordination Section, and the Conflict Prevention Section. The Australian side expressed strong interest in the evolution of China–U.S. relations, security developments in the South China Sea, global governance initiatives, and United Nations reform. It also conveyed a positive stance on deepening bilateral trade cooperation and noted that think tanks from both countries can play an important role in advancing China–Australia relations.
On the morning of 19 November, the delegation visited the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), a think tank initiated by DFAT. The delegation exchanged views with Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler, Senior Policy Analyst Heather Wrathall, Imogen Harper, Head of Partnerships and Policy at the Australian Council for International Development(ACFID), Policy Adviser Ujjwal Krishna, and others on strengthening think tank cooperation between China and Australia. Beyond traditional foreign policy and security issues, the discussion highlighted how to initiate and enhance dialogue on “development issues” between the two countries.
At noon on the 19th, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Australia and exchanged views with Ambassador Xiao Qian, Counsellor Huang Song, and others on the trajectory of China–Australia relations.