ABSTRACT

China has arguably the largest community of Australian studies in the world. However, not much is known about this phenomenon, including its emergence, rationale, interests, influences, and the implications for strategic Australia-China engagement in a region of increasing challenge and uncertainty. This volume unpacks how Australia is taught, learnt, researched, communicated, and promoted in the Asian giant as well as its largest trade partner. In doing so, it penetrates the representation and essence of this phenomenon to seek both the ‘Australianness’ and the ‘Chineseness’ in it.

This volume collects contributions from a group of leading and emerging Chinese and Australian scholars—who are members and insiders of this community—to jointly debate on this intellectual entity and its significant influences and implications. Produced at a critical moment of commemorating half a century of China-Australia diplomatic relations and four decades of formalised Australian studies in China, this volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful examination of this Australia-China engagement.

It will be of interest to scholars, students, policymakers, and general readers in areas of Australian studies, Chinese studies, Asia-Pacific studies, China-Australia relations, and international relations.

part I|25 pages

Australian studies in Greater China

chapter 2|12 pages

Australian studies in mainland China

A disciplinary analysis

chapter 3|11 pages

Australian studies in Taiwan

A personal account

part II|38 pages

Ambassadors, agencies, and channels

chapter 4|12 pages

The ripples that continue to spread out

The Gang of Nine and their influences on Chinese foreign studies

chapter 5|15 pages

‘The Council's flagship program’

The Australian Studies in China Program of the Australia-China Council and the Foundation for Australian Studies in China

chapter 6|9 pages

Building networks for deepening engagement

The Greater China-Australia Dialogue on Public Administration

part III|51 pages

Education, translation, and disciplinary development

chapter 7|11 pages

Teaching English and Australian studies in China

From the Maoist to the Xi'ist era

chapter 8|12 pages

Localising an Australian studies course

The teaching of Australian children's literature in Inner Mongolia

part IV|29 pages

Chinese studies with Australian characteristics

chapter 11|11 pages

Promoting China understanding in Australia

The role of the Australia-China Council, 1979–1984

chapter 12|16 pages

Chinese studies in Australia

An Antipodean school of education and research