James Tang / 唐轩皓

Executive Director

James has been passionate about bridging the language and cultural differences between Australia and China through people to people exchanges since his university studies in Hangzhou in 2007 and Taipei in 2009. His interests in understanding China have taken him to work as a consultant in Beijing from 2013-2017 for RPM Global in mining advisory.

James's professional career in Australia has been diverse, ranging from a FIFO engineer in the Pilbara for Rio Tinto, a senior management consultant at Deloitte Consulting and corporate developer at Fortescue Metals Group. His latest endeavour has been building and launching a fast-growing startup called Ready Team One, a social Virtual Reality (VR) gaming company that has sold its product internationally.

As an Australian born Chinese raised in Perth, James completed studies in Engineering (Mechanical), Arts (Chinese) and MBA from the University of Western Australia.  He has been a proud member of the ACYD management team since 2016. 

MATTHEW Warr / 马啸

Non-Executive Director

Matthew Warr’s professional and educational background has revolved around China and the Australia-China relationship for the past fifteen years.

Matthew is a Legal Consultant at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Guangzhou, where he works with a team of Chinese lawyers to provide legal advice and services to foreign companies doing business in or with China. Matthew also served as a Board Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) South China from 2017 to 2023, a role which involved working with leading executives from Australia and China to connect, inform and advocate on behalf of Australian businesses in South China, and advance the overall Australia-China business and economic relationship.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Global Studies (with a major in Legal Studies) and a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Management from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), as well as an MBA from Peking University HSBC Business School in Shenzhen. Matthew was a recipient of a Prime Minister’s Australia-Asia Endeavour Award Scholarship in 2014 and a BHP Billiton Australia-China Scholarship in 2017. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese

PATRICIA SAW / 苏丽燕

Non-Executive Director

Trish is the Lead Counsel managing the Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team in the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO).  

She has a long-standing interest in China sparked by her first visit to China on a school trip in year 9. While at university she completed a major in Mandarin Chinese as part of an Arts degree, a Diploma in Languages (Mandarin Chinese), and two study trips to China including a year at South East University in Nanjing on a Chinese government scholarship, while concurrently studying Law at Monash University.  Trish graduated with first class honours in her Bachelor of Laws, with an honours thesis analysing the then-proposed carbon tax and pilot emission trading schemes in China within the framework of international environmental law.

Before commencing her current role at the VGSO, Trish worked at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and then subsequently at Allens. During that time, she combined her interests in China and environmental law in sectors with higher flows of foreign investment from China, particularly in renewable energy, agribusiness and urban development.  Trish is passionate about the potential for greater connection and growth in Australian and Chinese carbon markets, and investment in renewable energy and green technologies. 

Anna Lin / 林英华

Non-Executive Director

Anna has extensive experience in international trade, strategic business development and stakeholder relations. At Western Sydney University, she leads the development and implementation of innovation partnerships and precinct strategies, advancing the university's strategic goals. Anna has held diplomatic roles with the Australian Government, leading teams and strategic initiatives. She served as Trade Commissioner and Consul in Dubai, UAE, and as Trade and Investment Commissioner and Consul (Commercial) in Guangzhou, China.

Her international and public sector expertise enables her to build and sustain productive relationships with senior representatives from business, government, and community organisations.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master's in International Business from The University of Sydney. In 2020, she was awarded the Dr. John Yu Fellowship for her commitment to cultural diversity and leadership.