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Food security, water, medicine, energy, culture and commerce are some of the agenda topics for a high-level, four-day conference at The University of Western Australia today.

Top Chinese dignitaries, Australian political leaders and representatives from Chinese and Australian universities will be joined by Madam Wang Yin'er, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Perth, at the Fourth Australia-China Joint Symposium on Science, Technology and Education.

Professor Li Jinghai, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Nobel Laureate Winthrop Professor Barry Marshall will be among the 200 delegates.

The symposium is hosted by the Federation of Chinese Scholars in Australia, a consortium of 13 Chinese professional associations in Australia whose aim is to promote links and cooperation between the two nations.

One of the symposium organisers is Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang, Director of UWA's Centre for Energy.  Professor Zhang is working on collaborations in developing innovative renewable energy technologies to narrow the socio-economic gaps between China's urban and rural communities.  These projects will engage Australian researchers in renewable energy development and deployment for use in Australia.

Plenary speaker, UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson, said Western Australia was particularly aware of the significance of the geographic and cultural ties between Australia and China.

"UWA regards international agreements and collaborations as essential to strengthen the University's world-class educational programs and research capacity," Professor Johnson said.

"Our relationship with China is based on mutual respect: an approach which offers the best prospects to maximise our shared interests across a broadening array of fields.  These include the sciences and humanities and particularly research in the resources sector.  Our University seeks to further its constructive relationship with many of China's leading universities and institutions as we grow together in the ‘Asian Century."

Media references

Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang (Director UWA Centre for Energy)  (+61 8)  6488 7600
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783