The Australian Government is reported to have "targeted" Sydney University's Confucius Institute in its current investigation into Chinese interference in Australian universities. Meanwhile USYD's Suzhou centre seems to have been ignored. Its stated objectives, and its partners in China, taken together suggests that it functions as a postbox, which can relay valuable research and other intelligence to Chinese government agencies. The following extracts from Sydney University websites about the Suzhou centre should concern any Australian security and intelligence agency:
The centre in Suzhou will employ up to 10 staff and fulfil the following functions:
Act as an incubator for joint Australia-China research programs
Offer short- and long-term attachments for academic staff from the University of Sydney and their academic collaborators from local partner institutions
Facilitate research and industry collaboration and liaison
Provide a base for the delivery of joint-venture teaching programs in collaboration with Chinese universities, such as intensive subjects and units of study, non-award courses and executive programs
Promote the University of Sydney to a broad range of audiences – government, local industry, counterpart universities, and prospective students
Facilitate in-country placements, internships and other learning experiences for Australian students in China
Host research seminars and symposia, in-country language programs, academic conferences and conventions
Conduct alumni relations activities, with the potential to become the administrative hub for alumni living in mainland China and Hong Kong.
New MOUs signed with Chinese partners
As part of the Centre in China launch ceremony on November 11, University of Sydney representatives signed four memorandums of understanding to strengthen partnerships and explore future opportunities in China:
Fudan University – a collaborative agreement that will see existing ties between the two universities strengthened, through teaching, training, research and other activities
China Construction Bank (in partnership with the University of Sydney China Studies Centre) – a high-level commitment to promote collaboration for mutual benefit
Tsinghua University Graduate School at Shenzhen (in partnership with the University of Sydney Business School) – an agreement to explore the implementation of a postgraduate dual degree program
The Chinese University of Hong Kong – an agreement that establishes a framework for staff exchanges.
Further developing our close relationship with China
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The University of Sydney has launched its new Centre in China – our first major facility outside of Australia.
Building on the University's world-class scholarship and research across a broad range of disciplines – from medicine, science and applied sciences, to the humanities and social sciences – and our significant and long-standing academic partnerships in China over the last six decades, the new Centre in China will realise our vision for sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation across all levels of higher education and research engagement.
University of Sydney Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AM said the centre will provide the foundation for direct connection and collaboration with government, local industry counterpart universities and alumni.
"The University is delighted to have established its first major facility outside of Australia in Suzhou, an historic and beautiful city which is also a major trade and economic hub," she said.
"This is a concrete demonstration of our commitment to lead the way in intellectual engagement with China and in the Asia-Pacific region."
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence said the launch of the centre was an important milestone in the further development of the university’s close relationship with China.
"The University of Sydney has been Australia's leading university with regard to engagement with China over the past few decades – we were the first Australian university to have research links with China, and we were also the first university to welcome Chinese students and academics in 1979," he said.
"Today we have around 12,000 Chinese students studying at our campuses in Sydney, and more than 200 academic staff studying China directly or collaborating with Chinese researchers. However, despite the closeness of our relationship, the University of Sydney has never had a physical address in China – until now.
"The launch of this new centre demonstrates that the University of Sydney is leading the way in ensuring that the relationship between our two great countries is one of friendly collaboration defined by the exchange of ideas."
The new University of Sydney Centre in China will be located in the Wisdom Centre at Suzhou Industrial Park.
About the new Centre in China
Based in the Suzhou Industrial Park Dushu Science, Education and Innovation District, the centre is a multifunction research and education hub. It is designed to facilitate and strengthen intellectual and creative exchange between Australian and Chinese researchers, academics and students.
The University has appointed former diplomat Cathryn Hlavka as the Executive Director of the Centre in China. Ms Hlavka has been actively involved with the development of Australian Studies in China, and in promoting the study of China and Chinese language and culture in Australia since the late 1980s.
Under the guidance of Ms Hlavka, the Centre in China will:
provide a base for short and long-term attachments and fellowships for Australian-based staff
facilitate research and industry collaboration
facilitate work placements, internships and other learning experiences for Australian students in China
promote the University of Sydney to a broad range of audiences, including government, industry, and counterpart universities
host research seminars and symposia, language programs, academic conferences and conventions
support specialised China activities of individual faculties, schools, and centres
support alumni relations activities.
The new Centre will work closely with the China Studies Centre at the University's Camperdown Campus.
New MOUs signed with Chinese partners
As part of the Centre in China launch ceremony on November 11, University of Sydney representatives signed four memorandums of understanding to strengthen partnerships and explore future opportunities in China:
Fudan University – a collaborative agreement that will see existing ties between the two universities strengthened, through teaching, training, research and other activities
China Construction Bank (in partnership with the University of Sydney China Studies Centre) – a high-level commitment to promote collaboration for mutual benefit
Tsinghua University Graduate School at Shenzhen (in partnership with the University of Sydney Business School) – an agreement to explore the implementation of a postgraduate dual degree program
The Chinese University of Hong Kong – an agreement that establishes a framework for staff exchanges.
Dr Spence said these agreements reflected the University's close ties with China.
"These MOUs highlight our commitment to long-term relationships here in China," he said."We are proud to have partners of this calibre and look forward to exploring our shared opportunities further."
The launch event was attended by a delegation including University staff and guests, recent graduates, alumni, members of the University's famous 'Gang of Nine', and partners from government, research institutes, businesses across China.
Also in attendance were representatives from Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xian Jiao Tong University, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing Agriculture University, Chinese Academies of Agricultural Sciences, Social Science and Science, Soochow University, The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and National Taiwan University.
Our China history
The University of Sydney and China have enjoyed a special relationship over the past few decades.
We were the first Australian university to have research links with China – dating back to the early 1960s when our then Chair of electrical engineering Professor Wilbur Christiansen went to China to assist a radio astronomy group who wanted to build a solar array. We were also the first university to welcome Chinese students and academics in 1979.
Today we have more than 12,000 Chinese students on campus, and around 40,000 alumni living in China. We also have more than 200 academic staff studying China directly or collaborating with Chinese researchers.
Centre in China launch: images from the day
On November 11, the University of Sydney celebrated the opening of its first major offshore education and research facility, the new University of Sydney Centre in China at Suzhou Industrial Park.
The University of Sydney Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AM speaking at the opening ceremony of the Centre in China.
The University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Michael Spence speaking at the opening ceremony of the Centre in China.
Professor Duncan Ivison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research),The University of Sydney, signing the memorandum of understanding with Professor Peng Yuwen, Vice Chairman, Fudan University Council.
Professor Jeffrey Riegel, Director, China Studies Centre, The University of Sydney, signing the memorandum of understanding with Ms Xi Huang, General Manager of Institutional Banking Department, China Construction Bank.
The University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence signing the memorandum of understanding with Professor Fanny Cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Professor Gregory Whitwell, Dean, University of Sydney Business School, signing the memorandum of understanding with Professor Xia Guang, Vice Dean of Graduate School Schenzhen, Tsinghua University.
The opening ceremony of the Centre in China was attended by University staff and guests and partners from government, universities, research institutes and businesses across China.
A guest at the official opening of the new University of Sydney Centre in China.
A guest at the official opening of the new University of Sydney Centre in China.
The University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence and Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AM speak to media about the Centre in China.
The Sydney China Business Forum (in Suzhou) was one of a number of events held in the Suzhou Industrial Park to celebrate the milestone.
Sydney China Business Forum (in Suzhou) hosted a panel session on the force of innovation and high-level talents. Left-right: Professor Luigi Tomba (incoming Director, China Studies Centre), Jiang Weiming (Executive Vice Chairman of the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District Administrative Committee), James Alexander (Co-founder, INCUBATE), Dr Carolyn O'Brien (Senior International Relations and Policy Officer, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering), and Jason Yat-sen Li (Founding Partner and CEO, Yatsen Associates).
In a research seminar also held in the new Centre in China on November 11, genomics experts from China and Australia provided examples of how genomics is helping us to solve global challenges and fostering fruitful international collaborations.
The ribbon cutting ceremony at the Centre in China launch. From left-right: Mr Ding Lixin (Deputy Chairman, Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee), Mr Zhou Changkui (Deputy Administrator, State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs), Prof. Zhang Laiwu (Former Vice-Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology), Mr Guo You (Chairman of Board of Supervisors, China Construction Bank), Mr Wang Xiang (Deputy Mayor of Suzhou and Secretary of the CPC Suzhou Industrial Park Working Committee), Mr Qu Futian (Mayor of Suzhou Municipal Government), Dr Michael Spence (Vice-Chancellor and Principal, The University of Sydney), Mr Graeme Meehan (Australian Consul General in Shanghai), Robert Kok (Councilor, City of Sydney and Advisory Panel member, China Studies Centre, The University of Sydney), Professor Jeffrey Riegel (Director, China Studies Centre, The University of Sydney), Cathryn Hlavka (Executive Director, The University of Sydney Centre in China) and Chen Dali (Director of International Relations, Ministry of Education).
New offshore site to be established in Suzhou, China
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A new centre in China will cement our place as the Australian university with the most extensive, coherent and sustainable relationship with China.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence and Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson with Mr Yang ZhiPing, Deputy Party Secretary of CPC Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) Work Committee and Chairman of SIP Administrative Committee
The University of Sydney announced at a ceremony today in Beijing that it will open a centre in China in May 2016. For the first time in the University's 165-year history, an offshore site will be established in Suzhou, China. The new centre will serve as a research and education hub for the University to increase intellectual exchange and collaboration between China and Australia.
The University of Sydney’s Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson said the newly established centre would help cement the University’s place as the Australian university with the most extensive, coherent and sustainable relationship with China.
“The University of Sydney has what we believe is the highest concentration of Chinese expertise in the world outside of China. There are more than 200 academic staff studying China or collaborating with researchers in the country, in a wide range of areas from China's public health system to its economy and cultural history," Ms Hutchinson said.
“This new Suzhou based centre - the first we have established as a major facility outside of Australia - demonstrates how importantly we view our relationship with China.”
“Our strategy for China has the in-country centre at its heart. The University established the China Studies Centre in Sydney in recognition of the depth and breadth of expertise of our people. It is time that we take the next step and open a companion centre in China. Having both centres signals our ambition to be the leading University for intellectual engagement with China and the Asia-Pacific region more generally,” Dr Spence said.
The centre in Suzhou will employ up to 10 staff and fulfil the following functions:
Act as an incubator for joint Australia-China research programs
Offer short- and long-term attachments for academic staff from the University of Sydney and their academic collaborators from local partner institutions
Facilitate research and industry collaboration and liaison
Provide a base for the delivery of joint-venture teaching programs in collaboration with Chinese universities, such as intensive subjects and units of study, non-award courses and executive programs
Promote the University of Sydney to a broad range of audiences – government, local industry, counterpart universities, and prospective students
Facilitate in-country placements, internships and other learning experiences for Australian students in China
Host research seminars and symposia, in-country language programs, academic conferences and conventions
Conduct alumni relations activities, with the potential to become the administrative hub for alumni living in mainland China and Hong Kong.
The University of Sydney selected Suzhou as the site of the centre due to the educational infrastructure in the Suzhou Industrial Park, which currently houses several universities, both domestic and foreign. Suzhou was also chosen for its close proximity to Shanghai.
It is anticipated the centre will begin operations from June 2016.
The University of Sydney has a long history of engagement with China, and has been Australia’s leading university in this respect. In 1979, it was the first university in Australia to welcome Chinese students after the Cultural Revolution. There are now almost 6000 Chinese students studying at the University of Sydney.
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