ANU backs plan for Australia-China Commission »

ACJER's proposal for an Australia-China Commission is an outstanding national initiative and one that, as the nation's university, we are committed to support. The ANU will offer full institutional support to help set up a new Australia-China Commission, proposed by a major independent study on the future of Australia-China relations. ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said the ANU would be a natural partner for the Australia-China (or Zhong-Ao) Commission, which would be based on the Australia-US Fulbright Commission and would promote academic, cultural, policy, government, business and community exchanges. The Australia-China Commission, to be supported by both governments, was a key recommendation of the Australia-China Joint Economic Report (ACJER), compiled with support from both Beijing and Canberra and handed to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday. "The Commission fulfils an unmet need in the Australia-China relationship," Professor Schmidt said at the ACJER launch event in Melbourne. "The Commission will have the depth and breadth to build, to lead, to develop, to bring together and to consolidate deep, sophisticated bilateral capacity. "I would like to offer The Australian National University's full institutional support and backing in carrying the ACJER's proposal for an Australia-China Commission forward.