China Matters Study Tour September 2019

China Matters

PRC Study Tour

September 24-26 2019

Beijing, PRC

“The China Matters study tour was high intensity and high value. The conversations were characterised by their frankness and covered a large part of the China story. For my part, I came away, after three days, with new perspectives and a much deeper understanding of a country which is central to Australia’s future.”

- The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Defence

“The thoughtfully curated program ensured that I gained insight into Chinese views from senior policy specialists about the bumps in the Australia-China relationship, and very importantly, how they might be resolved. Because of the diverse background of the people we met and their importance in Chinese foreign policy formulation, combined with their willingness to engage with us, this was the most rewarding study tour I have even been on.”

- Mr Kevin McCann AM

Chair of China Matters, Chair of Telix Pharmaceuticals

“China Matters provided an invaluable opportunity to have open and candid dialogue with thought-leaders, specialists and practitioners of the PRC government, business sector and civil society. For Australia to continue navigating its future amidst an uncertain global political economy, it’s vitally important that we deepen our understanding of China and they deepen their understanding of us.”

- Mr Ted O’Brien MP

Chair of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy, Member for Fairfax

“Very worthwhile trip. Great to get a range of views of domestic Chinese politics and economic issues. Very impressive interlocutors. A great way to deepen participants’ understanding of China.”

- The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Member for Sydney

“A ripe opportunity for immersion into China at a critical period of international relations.

“The program introduces participants to diverse views on the rise of China, its economy, trade, development, commerce and its place in the world. It provided a window on attitudes toward Chinese policy priorities and on relations between countries. An excellent opportunity to challenge and frame attitudes on some of the big questions confronting Australia, China and the world at the moment.”

- Mr Brian Pontifex

Chief Advisor for Government Relations, Australia, Rio Tinto

“The tour enabled full and frank discussions around some of the opportunities and challenges we need to address to build a stronger relationship with one of our major trading partners. Unique insights from a variety of perspectives. Well balanced and structured giving great insights into domestic Chinese affairs. A great way to build shared understandings which will be critical to maximise opportunities for Australian agriculture.”

- Ms Fiona Simson

President, National Farmers’ Federation

China Matters Founding Director and Deputy Chair, Ms Linda Jakobson, led a delegation of Australian politicians and business executives on a second China Matters PRC Study Tour from 23-26 September 2019.

A key objective of China Matters is to help Australian elected officials and business executives better understand the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the complexities of the Australia-China relationship. This study tour is one of many activities China Matters undertakes to fulfil this goal.

Parliamentarians on the second study tour, held from 23-26 September 2019, included The Hon Richard Marles MP, Mr Ted O’Brien MP and The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. True to China Matters’ mandate of bringing together business representatives and policy makers, they were joined by Mr Kevin McCann AM (China Matters Chair), Mr Brian Pontifex (Chief Advisor, Government Relations, Rio Tinto) and Ms Fiona Simson (President, National Farmers’ Federation)

China Matters covered the travel expenses of the participating parliamentarians.

Over the course of the three days, the study tour participants met with PRC government officials, businesspeople, experts, economists, academics, and university students through informal meetings.

The meetings aimed to give the participants an understanding of the thoughts and aspirations of middle-class PRC citizens, how they view their society, the challenges ahead, and the PRC’s international role.

China Matters is well aware that individuals we engage with may have roles or affiliations within the structure of the Communist Party of China (CPC) – that is the nature of the PRC’s political system. It is important that we engage with and try to understand the views of a wide array of individuals in the PRC to get a sense of how they see their own country, the world and Australia. Without engagement at all levels we cannot hope to understand the actions and policies of the PRC, which is essential to the formulation of sound policy.

Former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM, and PRC Ambassador to Australia, HE Mr Cheng Jingye, endorsed the China Matters Study Tour project on its inception in September 2018. Australia’s Ambassador to the PRC, HE Mr Graham Fletcher, also endorses this project.

AGENDA

Over the course of three days, the group gained an in-depth understanding of the thoughts and aspirations of middle-class PRC citizens, how they view their society, the challenges ahead, and the PRC’s international role. See the full agenda here.

BIOGRAPHIES

Read the biographies of China Matters study tour participants and interlocutors here.

TESTIMONIALS

Read testimonials by the participants of the second China Matters inaugural PRC study tour here.

PHOTOS

See photos of the China Matters second PRC study tour here.