Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies to launch today

The Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies will be launched at the University of Melbourne this afternoon by the University's Chancellor, Ms Elizabeth Alexander AM. Based within the Asia Institute of the Faculty of Arts, the Centre will focus on research into contemporary issues in China, as well as graduate training and broader engagement with external, China-facing stakeholders. The inaugural Director of the Centre, Professor Christine Wong said the Centre would be a point of difference in Chinese studies in Australian academia.  "There are some excellent Chinese focused research and engagement centres already in Australia, however I believe the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies will be a valuable addition to these, with a unique focus," she said. "This Centre will take a keen interest in issues facing contemporary China which is going through a rapid process of restructuring and modernisation. We will look at various facets of the country and its modern-day relationship with Australia, be it political, social, economic or cultural." Professor Wong, a leading international authority on China's public finance and public sector reform, will join the Centre from her post as Director of Chinese Studies at the University of Oxford. She will speak at the launch before officially joining the Centre on November 1. Acting Director of the Centre and Assistant Dean (China) of the Faculty of Arts, Dr Gao Jia said Professor Wong's appointment was an exciting announcement.  "Professor Wong's expertise is particularly important in the context of the new Centre," he said.