Official Agenda
Day 1:Geopolitics
Melbourne | Friday, 23 October 2026
Official opening
This is the official opening of the 16th Australia-China Youth Dialogue, bringing together diplomats, leaders and delegates to set the foundation for four days under the theme "Seeing through each other's eyes".
Speaker:
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC | 30th Governor of Victoria
Delegate introductions and Pecha Kuchas - Part I
An interactive session for delegates to introduce themselves, share their professional backgrounds, and present personal stories and perspectives through Pecha Kucha presentations.
Executive geopolitical briefing with Dr Geoff Raby AO
This briefing will provide delegates with a shared foundation for understanding the geopolitical dynamics shaping Australia-China relations today. This session seeks to explore the domestic and political systems that shape how Australia and China understand their interests, make decisions and engage with the region, and how these factors have contributed to the current state of the bilateral relationship. The session will provide context for the Dialogue’s subsequent discussions on geopolitics, trade and investment, and broader Australia-China relations.
Session Chair: Clare Murphy (ACYD ‘22)
Speaker: Dr Geoff Raby AO | Chairman and Founder - Geoff Raby and Associates
Geopolitics: Where are we now?
Australia-China relations sit within a broader context of strategic and economic change across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. This session provides delegates with a shared foundation for understanding the current state of the relationship, including what has shaped it, the key drivers influencing it today, and what may shape its next phase. Bringing together perspectives on regional security, geoeconomics and business, the session will explore the interests and strategic choices shaping the bilateral relationship. This will provide delegates with a common starting point for the conversations that follow throughout the Dialogue.
Session Chair: Clare Murphy (ACYD ‘22)
Speakers:
Professor Bec Strating | Director - La Trobe Centre for Global Security
Tom Parker | Lead, Greater China and North Asia, Global Engagement - Global Victoria
Professor Ligang Song | Professor of Economics, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics - Australian National University
Delegate introductions and Pecha Kuchas - Part II
ACYD 2026 Gala Dinner
The annual Gala Dinner brings together delegates, partners, alumni and distinguished guests to celebrate the opening evening of the 16th Australia-China Youth Dialogue.
Masters of Ceremonies: Jessie Hu (ACYD ‘21), Jack Brady (ACYD ‘22)
Speakers:
Welcome to Country: Uncle Andrew Gardiner | Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder
Welcome to Melbourne: Lord Mayor Nick Reece | City of Melbourne
Nancy Gordon | CEO - National Foundation for Australia-China Relations
Consul-General Fang Xinwen | Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Melbourne
Keynote address:
Dr Wesa Chau (ACYD ‘12) | Executive Director - Per Capita
— End of the official program for day one —
Day 2 - Trade and investment
Bendigo | Saturday, 24 October
Welcome to Bendigo
A welcome from the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, introducing delegates to regional Victoria and its historical and modern connections with China.
Speaker: Mayor, Cr Thomas Prince | Mayor - City of Greater Bendigo
Far from Canberra, close to China: Perspectives on trade relations
Australia-China trade relations are experienced differently across industries, businesses and communities. For Australia's regional industries, the relationship can, and often does, directly impact markets, livelihoods, investment and local economies. Bringing together perspectives from across the Australia-China trade relationship, this session will explore how regional industries engage with China, how the relationship is understood from different vantage points, and what we can learn by seeing the opportunities and challenges of trade through each other's eyes.
Session Chair: Jessica Wong-Saunderson (ACYD ‘19)
Speakers:
Chris Lethbridge | Trade Manager - Cherry Growers Australia
Jesse White | General Manager Asia - Berries Australia
Earl Jobling | Accounting/Finance Lecturer - La Trobe University
Gold, migration and trade: Exploring Bendigo’s Chinese-Australian history
A historical exploration of Bendigo's Chinese-Australian heritage at the Golden Dragon Museum, examining the enduring legacy of gold rush migration, cultural heritage and early trade links.
Lunch and introduction to Djakitj Farm
A farm visit and lunch experience focused on Dja Dja Wurrung agricultural practices and sustainable food enterprise at Djakitj Farm.
Country, knowledge and agriculture: Learning from Traditional Ecological Knowledge
An exploration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and First Nations land management practices, examining how understanding of Country informs modern sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Speaker: Amos Atkinson | Djakitj
Dinner in conversation with the Honourable John Brumby AO
An evening dinner discussion with former Premier of Victoria and Chancellor of La Trobe University, the Honourable John Brumby AO, sharing reflections on leadership, education and regional development in the Australia-China context.
Session Chair: Anna Lin (ACYD ‘17)
Speaker: The Honourable John Brumby AO | Chancellor - La Trobe University
— End of the official program for day two —
Day 3 - Climate and energy
Melbourne | Sunday, 25 October
China’s domestic transition and role in the global transition
China plays a pivotal role in shaping the global net-zero trajectory. This session will examine China's internal progress toward its dual-carbon targets - peaking emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 - alongside its pursuit of energy security amidst global market volatility. Panelists will analyse domestic policies across renewable energy deployment, green industrial strategy, green finance, and sustainable cities, while also exploring China’s outsized influence in clean energy supply chains, technology innovation, and climate diplomacy.
Session Chair: Cynthia Yuan (ACYD ‘21)
Speakers:
Professor Caroline Wang | Professor - UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE)
Dr Muyi Yang | Principal Energy Analyst - Ember
Dr Christoph Nedopil Wang | Professor and Lead for APAC Industry Transitions - University of Queensland
Where to now on climate collaboration between Australia and China?
As key players in the Asia-Pacific energy landscape, Australia and China share vital economic and environmental intersections in the net-zero transition. This panel will explore current climate and energy cooperation while identifying strategic opportunities for future engagement across government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) channels. Discussions will highlight priority areas, including critical minerals, green steel, hydrogen, and renewable technology, to map actionable pathways for joint decarbonisation.
Session Chair: Cynthia Yuan (ACYD ‘21)
Speakers:
Deidre Willmott AM | Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs - Fortescue
Chell Lyons | Director, China, Japan and Climate Finance - Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
John Zhong | Australian Country Manager, International System Business Unit - Trina Solar
Site visit: Tennis Australia
An interactive site visit exploring sports diplomacy and international engagement through Australia's major sporting events.
ACYD 2026 Alumni Dinner
An evening gathering connecting the 2026 delegation with the broader ACYD alumni network.
Masters of Ceremonies: Alice Hong (ACYD ‘22), Simon Huang (ACYD ‘24)
— End of the official program for day three —
Day 4 - Health and life sciences
Melbourne | Monday, 26 October
Beyond borders: Australia-China cooperation in health and life sciences
Science and health are important areas of connection between Australia and China, bringing together researchers, institutions and communities around shared challenges and opportunities. This session will explore the role of scientific collaboration and people-to-people relationships in strengthening these connections, drawing on Victoria's experience as a hub for research, innovation and international engagement. With perspectives spanning biomedical research, global health and Victoria's broader science and innovation ecosystem, the discussion will consider what enables meaningful collaboration across borders, the role of scientific and health networks in building mutual understanding, and how Australia and China can continue to engage constructively in areas of shared interest. The conversation will also reflect on the importance of sustained institutional and people-to-people links in supporting cooperation through periods of geopolitical change.
Session Chair: Chengxue Helena Qin (ACYD ‘22)
Speakers:
Professor Sharon Lewin | Director - The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Dr Amanda Caples | Lead Scientist - Victorian Government
Professor Hong-Jian Zhu | Head - Cancer Signalling Research Laboratory, The University of Melbourne
Ambassador’s briefing
A high-level briefing from the Australian Ambassador to China, providing delegates with direct insights into current diplomatic priorities, policy settings and the trajectory of the bilateral relationship.
Session Chair: James Tang, ACYD Board
Speaker: His Excellency Mr Scott Dewar, Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China
Dialogue in retrospect
A facilitated reflection session for delegates to draw together insights from across the four thematic days, consider how engaging with different perspectives has shaped their understanding, and identify opportunities to carry these insights into their work and future collaborations. Through small-group, semi-structured discussions, delegates will reflect on the connections between themes, questions that remain, and possibilities for ongoing engagement beyond the Dialogue.
Facilitator: Gabi Powell Thomas (ACYD ‘25)
Official closing
The formal closing ceremony of the 16th ACYD, featuring closing remarks from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Australia.
Session Chair: Gabi Powell Thomas (ACYD ‘25)
Speaker: His Excellency Mr Liu Jinsong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Australia
— End of the official program —