China has arguably the largest community of Australian studies in the world. However, not much is known about this phenomenon, including its emergence, rationale, interests, influences, and the implications for strategic Australia-China engagement in a region of increasing challenge and uncertainty. This volume unpacks how Australia is taught, learnt, researched, communicated, and promoted in the Asian giant as well as its largest trade partner. In doing so, it penetrates the representation and essence of this phenomenon to seek both the ‘Australianness’ and the ‘Chineseness’ in it.
This volume collects contributions from a group of leading and emerging Chinese and Australian scholars—who are members and insiders of this community—to jointly debate on this intellectual entity and its significant influences and implications. Produced at a critical moment of commemorating half a century of China-Australia diplomatic relations and four decades of formalised Australian studies in China, this volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful examination of this Australia-China engagement.
It will be of interest to scholars, students, policymakers, and general readers in areas of Australian studies, Chinese studies, Asia-Pacific studies, China-Australia relations, and international relations.
Table of Contents:
Contents
Foreword
Kevin Hobgood-Brown
List of Figures and Tables
Notes on Contributors
Abbreviations
Introduction
Chapter 1. Australian studies with Chinese characteristics
Richard Hu
Part I Australian Studies in Greater China
Chapter 2. Australian studies in mainland China: A disciplinary analysis
Diane Hu and Ying Li
Chapter 3. Australian studies in Taiwan: A personal account
To-hai Liou
Part II Ambassadors, Agencies, and Channels
Chapter 4. The ripples that continue to spread out: The Gang of Nine and their influences on Chinese foreign studies
Guanglin Wang
Chapter 5. ‘The Council’s flagship program’: The Australian Studies in China Program of the Australia-China Council and the Foundation for Australian Studies in China
David Carter
Chapter 6. Building networks for deepening engagement: The Greater China Australia Dialogue on Public Administration
Andrew Podger
Part III Education, Translation, and Disciplinary Development
Chapter 7. Teaching English and Australian studies in China: From the Maoist to the Xi’ist era
Colin Mackerras
Chapter 8. Localising an Australian studies course: The teaching of Australian children’s literature in Inner Mongolia
Wuyungaowa
Chapter 9. Translating Australian literature into Chinese for forty years
Li Yao and Meili Yi (translator)
Chapter 10. The rise of area and country studies and its implications for Australian studies in China
Chengyi Wu and Chenyu Ding
Part IV Chinese Studies with Australian Characteristics
Chapter 11. Promoting China understanding in Australia: The role of the Australia-China Council, 1979–1984
Jocelyn Chey
Chapter 12. Chinese studies in Australia: An Antipodean school of education and research
Jocelyn Chey and Shirley Chan
