Australia China honours awarded to Beijing alumni

Mr Zili Shao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chinese Operations, JP Morgan Chase & Co, won the IELTS Australia China Alumni of the Year Award and Dr Peng Tao, CEO and Founder, Breadtrip.com, won the Australia China Connections Magazine Australia China Alumni Award for ICT and New Media. Professor Simon Evans, the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) said the University was thrilled that the talent, leadership and innovation of some of our finest alumni had been recognised through the awards. "Mr Zhao and Dr Peng, along with the other Melbourne nominees, exemplify the strengthening ties between Australia and China being forged through higher education," he said. "The University's alumni community is also greatly appreciative of their active involvement and ongoing contributions." Mr Shao first travelled to Australia in 1986 as an exchange student. He graduated with a Bachelor and Masters of Law from the University of Melbourne, and was one of the first qualified Chinese lawyers in Australia. The judges were impressed by Mr Shao's steady career progression, from partner at Allens Arthur Robinson in Sydney and Hong Kong, to his current position at JP Morgan Chase & Co, where he is responsible for the strategic development and operations of all China businesses. In less than three years there he has established three joint ventures, one quantitative research centre and three new branches.