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The latest news and events from AustCham Beijing! May 21st Newsletter.
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AustCham Beijing Newsletter
Wednesday 21st of May


This Friday we are kicking off the AustCham Post Budget Breakfast Series at the Waldorf Astoria with Treasury Secretary, Martin Parkinson, giving a breakdown of the 2014 Federal Budget. Wednesday 28th of May, NAB Chief Economist, Alan Oster, and WSJ's Dinny McMahon will follow on from where the public service left off with a panel discussion on the Budget's impact on Australian businesses.

To let off the steam post-post Budget Breakfast Series, AustCham will be holding Round 1 of the State of Origin on the big screen at The Local on Wednesday 28th of May. Get ready for the Blues and the Maroons to go head to head in the first clash of the series.
In the Press
Australian Federal Budget 2014
With Treasurer Joe Hockey advocating “heavy lifting” for all Australians, it is clear that the 2014/15 federal budget will present significant challenges for many Australians in the next fiscal year.
Some of the key measures in this Budget:
•    A cut to the company tax rate of 1.5 per cent from 1 July 2015.
•    Introduction of a 2 per cent Temporary Budget Repair Levy for high income earners from 1 July 2014.
•    Temporary increase to the Fringe Benefits Tax rate to 49 per cent from 1 April 2015.
•    Reduction to the rates of the Research and Development tax offsets from 1 July 2014.
•    Rephasing of the superannuation guarantee rate rise.
•    An additional $11.6 billion infrastructure growth package, expected to catalyse additional infrastructure investment in excess of $125 billion through to 2020.
•    Increase to the pension age to 70 by 2035.
Read AustCham's 2014 Australian Federal Budget Synopsis here.
AustCham News
AustCham Beijing Call for applicants for Deputy General Manager – Members
The role reports to the General Manager and focuses on driving the Membership, Events and Communications strategies and outcomes for the Chamber.
Please see here for more details.
Event Round-Up
Friday Night Footy Drinks
What a Game! AustCham and the Beijing Bombers joined forces on Friday 9th of May to watch the Sydney Swans take on Hawthorn in what was a nail-biting finish to a great game of footy. On the big screen at Sanlitun's watering hole, The Local, members relived the memories of the 2012 Grand Final.


With specials on Aussie beer and wine, the Beijing Bombers and Austcham members were kept well hydrated whilst watching the footy.

For anyone who is interested in playing, watching or supporting AFL in Beijing, get in touch with the Beijing Bombers for more details: beijingfooty@yahoo.com 

Upcoming Events
AustCham Post Budget Breakfast Series:
Breakfast with Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson
In the first installment of the AustCham Beijing Post-Budget Breakfast Series, members and guests will be given the chance to attend a post-budget presentation by Australia’s Treasury Secretary, Dr. Martin Parkinson, on May 23rd at the Waldorf Astoria.
Dr Martin Parkinson will give a post budget presentation to AustCham members, who will be given the opportunity to discuss key fiscal topics in an open forum with the head of Treasury. Given that this will be the first Budget handed down by the Abbott Government, it will be a unique opportunity for a Q&A with such a highly regarded public figure. For more details click here.
 
Breakfast with NAB Chief Economist Alan Oster
and WSJ's Dinny McMahon

As the second installment in the Post-Budget Breakfast Series, AustCham will be hosting a breakfast with NAB Chief Economist, Alan Oster, and the Wall Street Journal’s Dinny McMahon, who will provide a post budget economic outlook for Australia with a China focus. This will be followed by a panel discussion, showcasing different areas of the expertise in the Australia-China economic relationship.
This breakfast will be held at the China World Hotel on May 28th and guests will be given the opportunity to meet with leading economists to discuss the hard hitting fiscal topics impacting Australia’s economic outlook and Australia’s China focus. For more details click here.

Winners of the 2014 AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards will be announced at a black-tie gala presentation dinner in Shanghai on the 29th of May. The Gala Dinner is the pinnacle of the ACBAs, where companies are publically recognised and celebrated for their business achievements in China by government, industry and peers.Get your tickets for the Gala Awards Dinner here.

Congratulations to the AustCham Beijing member finalists:
Argyle Hotel Group  Australia China Alumni Association
CPA Australia
Spaceframe
Bluescope Steel 
Roc Oil 
Sino Gas & Energy Holdings

See the full list of finalists here.

Upcoming Events
AustCham State of Origin on the Big Screen
AustCham will be holding the biggest State of Origin party in town and the 100th State of Origin clash is guaranteed to be an occasion you won't want to miss!
 
With Game One fast approaching, there are so many intriguing story lines, and questions that need to be answered.
 
Game One will mark the 100th occasion both states have met – will Queensland begin their charge to a ninth consecutive Origin series victory? Or will New South Wales take the early advantage?
 
Whichever way you look at it, you have to be at The Local on Wednesday, May 28th.
Screening of Game 1 will start at 6pm. 50yuan entry gets you hot finger food and a glass of Coopers Pale or wine. Drinks at Happy Hour prices.

The 2014 China Government Affairs Forum: Special AustCham China member discount
Navigating Reform: Government Relations in Market-Driven China


Thursday, May 22, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel

AustCham members save US$400
Book for just US$1,200 (normally US$1,600)
For more information.
Location: Brian McKenna @ The Courtyard Date: Thu, 22/05/2014 - 7:00pm
Cost: 1,000RMB net. For more information click here.
Kooka Networking Drinks
 
Date: Fri, 30/05/2014 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Aria Bar, China World Hotel

As we welcome in the warm weather, AustCham Beijing will be hosting our monthly Kooka Networking Drinks at the Aria Bar, China World Hotel.

With colds drinks and great friends, this will be a great opportunity to network with other AustCham Beijing members and guests before the school holidays begin. For more information click here.

Click here to see the full list of AustCham Beijing upcoming events.
Member News

Owing to the great success last year, ACYA are pleased to announce the Leizhou Volunteering Trip for 2014!

The Leizhou Volunteering Trip is a one-week volunteer English teaching program in Leizhou, China. Through this trip organised by ACYA and Leizhou College Students Volunteer Association (LZCVA), volunteers will teach English to Leizhou high school students. It will also allow participants to glimpse a part of the ‘real China’ far from the tourist trail and first-tier cities, and contribute to a rural community in such a meaningful way. Not only is it a fun and rewarding experience, it also aims to promote Aussie culture to our Chinese counterparts, develop strong relationships with the young Chinese people and lay the foundations for a bright future of cooperation between ACYA and LZCVA.

New Members

Waldorf Astoria

Waldorf Astoria Beijing artfully blends rich Chinese tradition and modern sophistication along the prestigious Jinyu Hutong in Wangfujing. The Waldorf Astoria Beijing hotel's convenient accessibility to major banks and commercial offices makes it ideal for business travelers. Leisure guests will appreciate the hotel's proximity to exciting nightlife and dining options and a wealth of iconic attractions, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Facility Asia

Facillity Asia brings a practical and creative design management solution to interiors with expertise, knowledge and understanding. Key areas of expertise are in planning, management, construction, maintainence and turnkey.
 

Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel


Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel is a boutique hotel located in Beijing's CBD. The Renaissance offers the perfect blend of comfort & luxury, with 521 spacious guest rooms - including 36 well-appointed suites - featuring plush bedding that will leave you feeling both relaxed and pampered.
 
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