Dear <<First Name>>,
We hope this email finds you well. In this newsletter, read on to find out about important news and learning opportunities. For more information and interesting lessons, follow the VBCI Linkedin page, Facebook page and Instagram. Enjoy!
 Prof. Colin Clark - Director, VBCI
 Assoc. Prof. Weiliang Zhang - Chinese Coordinator, VBCI
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What's On?
😍 Today, we launched our Focus on China podcast series to give a quick 10min overview of one particular Chinese culture or business topic in each episode. Listen
🎑 If you missed the business webinar on Wed 14 Sept. that discussed the implications of China's shrinking and ageing population, here is the recording. Watch
☕️ The next Chinese Culture Talk will be about Chinese Zodiac signs and join us for a fun fireside chat to find out more about your zodiac sign. Register
🐵 The next Doing Business with China webinar will be about China-based Companies Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Register
👩🏫 We started our Semester 2 Chinese language programs in September. If you would like to register for future rounds, please register your interest here.
📅 The next HSK test date is 19 Nov 2022. Registration is now open. Register here.
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Focus on China Podcast Launch
In the past month, the VBCI team has been busy working on a brand new podcast series, Focus on China, a series that focuses on doing business with China issues and delivering Chinese cultural talks. The program officially launched today to provide you with one particular topic in each episode.
In today's first episode, the Director of VBCI, Prof. Colin Clark was interviewed and he will take us to a deep-dive into who is VBCI and what we do. Enjoy!
Click here to listen |
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What's new in the Doing Business with China Hub
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You might also be interested in
Business Webinar Recap
On 14 Sept, the VBCI team hosted another successful Doing Business with China webinar and featured Dr Xiujian Peng's study on China's ageing population. According to her research, every 100 workers need to support 120 old people by 2100 in China. And the economy will be slowed down. She also proposed some policy recommendations.
If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Stay updated for our next business webinar.
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Confucius Institute Director's Forum 2022 Recap
 VBCI's Director, Prof. Colin Clark presented at the recent Global Confucius Institute Directors' Forum 2022 in late September. The Forum featured international delegates online this year.
Prof Colin Clark presented on the topic: Benchmarking between Confucius Institutes at Victoria University and the Western University of Australia. In 2022, both CIs applied benchmarking in their Chinese language & culture programs to compare indicators and improve their deliveries.
Read more about our Chinese language program
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VU O-Fest 2022 Recap
 VBCI participated in Victoria University's O-Fest 2022 on 28 September and we had a fun day making mooncakes with over 100 students/staff!
On the day, participants learned how to make their own mooncakes and took home some tasty treats. They also learned how to greet in simple Mandarin words and had some relaxing time during their busy schedules.
It was lovely to be back to another face-to-face event. If you would like to know more about VBCI or know anyone who would be interested, head to our website for more.
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Student Success Story
Mr Chadi Abi Rached
VU Alumni
I have always been fascinated by Chinese culture and appreciated its rich and unique heritage. I was already fluent in three languages (Arabic, French and English) at the time of completing my Bachelor of Law, yet, learning Mandarin was constantly on my mind.
During my master’s degree in Banking and Financial Law and my career in the banking sector, I visited China many times as a tourist.
However, having been exposed to Chinese culture through those travels reinforced and revived my passion to learn the language.
In 2019 I embarked on a new journey with a postgraduate degree in International Business coupled with self-study of the Mandarin language. The more I studied Mandarin, the more passion I had for the language. In a few months, I found myself familiar with Chinese etiquette, food, celebrations …
The next level was to get certified and pursue HSK tests, so I sat for HSK Level 3 and passed.
Having self-taught myself a language that is completely different from any of the languages that I know, being able to achieve HSK 3 is something I hold dear as a personal accomplishment.
Even though I am preparing for HSK 4, I still enrol in the Basic Chinese courses offered by VBCI as I believe the more I practice the language, the more it gives me hands-on experience of the culture.
My passion for Mandarin triggered an interest in my wife and 9-year-old son to learn Mandarin as well. I am enjoying the online classes, webinars and events organized by VBCI. I am happy to see that my passion to learn Mandarin is met by the passion of the teachers from VBCI to teach the language as well.
Learn more about how VBCI helped Chadi to achieve his passion
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Chinese Culture Talk: Chinese Zodiac Signs
Fri., 21 Oct 2022
1.00pm - 1.45 pm AEDT
This workshop will introduce you to the 12 animal signs. The Chinese zodiac has been around for more than 2,000 years, and it plays an essential role in Chinese culture. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China, but are also believed to influence people’s personalities, careers, compatibility, marriage, and fortune. Register
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Business Webinar: China-based Companies Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
1.00-2.00 PM, Thurs., 27 Oct 2022
This presentation examines the performance of the Chinese-based companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Register
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Business Workshop: Australia-China Trade Logistics
Late Nov 2022
We have a high-profile panel of speakers coming together for a workshop on Australia-China Trade Logistics in late November. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the details.
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Registration Open: HSK Test in Melbourne
19 Nov 2022
The next HSK test will be on Sat 19 November at VU's City Tower campus (370 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne). All six HSK levels will be offered at this round and registration is now open! Register here or contact us to keep updated.
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Registration Open: YCT Test in Melbourne
12 Nov 2022
The next YCT test will be on Sat 12 November at VU's City Tower campus (370 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne). Registration is now open until 16 October 2022! Register here or contact us to keep updated.
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Economy Corner
From January to July 2022, the bilateral import and export volume of goods between China and Australia was US$128.26 billion, a decrease of US$32.37 million compared with the same period in 2021, down by 1.7% year-on-year.
From January to July 2022, the total value of China’s exports to Australia was US$43.18 billion, an increase of US$8.34 billion compared with the same period in 2021, an increase of 24.1% year-on-year. The total value of China’s imports from Australia was US$85.09 billion, a decrease of US$9.45billion compared with the same period in 2021, down 11.1% year-on-year.
Although this year’s trade (especially in the commodities such as barley, sugar, beef, wine, log, coal, lobster, and copper) is down considerably, Australia’s trade surplus resulting from trade with China still reached US$41.91 billion from January to July 2022.
Data source: www.customs.gov.cn; www.mofcom.cn (Note: US$1=AUD1.4790)
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Phrase of the Month
Did you know that China National Day is celebrated on 1 October annually? A day to commemorate the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Chinese people enjoy a 7-day holiday from Oct. 1st to 7th, which is known as Golden Week. Golden Week is a week-long public holiday to encourage people to travel around the country. Before Covid, 730 million travellers travelled in China and abroad in 2019's October Golden Week.
Golden Week
黄金周 huáng jīn zhōu
- 黄 huáng (color yellow or gold)
- 金 jīn (gold)
- 黄金 huáng jīn (gold)
- 周 zhōu (week)
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Fashion Through the Dynasties - Series of Event
10 Oct - 30 Oct 2022 Chinese Museum
The runway showcases the evolution of the Chinese hanfu over two millennia, covering distinct styles from the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties. Then explore two complementary exhibitions – Fashion Through the Dynasties and Han Dynasty: Life Everlasting – to round out this immersive experience. Learn More
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Term 4 Chinese Story Time
中文故事时间
Thurs., 10.30 AM West Footscray Library
Encourage a love of reading and support your child's bilingual language learning together. Share stories, songs and rhymes in English and Chinese in a supportive and welcoming environment. Learn More
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Strategic China Briefing with Alex Chu of Anken | ACBC Vic & Global Vic
Thur., 13 Oct 2022, 12:00-1.00 pm AEDT
ACBC Vic is delighted to invite Alex for a fireside chat to share her secrets to success and personal stories that paint an exciting picture of Shanghai over the last 20 years highlighting the large and growing emphasis on her net-zero journey. Register
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ACBC Victoria Member-Only Government Briefing – October
Thurs., 20 Oct 2022, 8:30-9.00 am AEDT
ACBC Vic is delighted to offer members free access to monthly virtual briefings with ACBC Vic Ex Officio members including DFAT, Austrade, Global Victoria and The City of Melbourne. Register
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