Australia China Connections February March 2014 issue

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 www.chinaconnections.com.au

AUSTRALIA CHINACONNECTIONSTHE BILATERAL BUSINESS BULLETIN

ISSUE 1 VOLUME 14

建筑专题

第40-41页

COVER STORY: NICHE DESIGN OPENING DOORS FOR AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS IN CHINATOURISM: AUSTRALIA EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

CONTENTS n

AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 1

COVER STORY: DESIGN AND BUILD: NICHE THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS IN CHINA. P. 26.


China Eastern Airlines introduces brand new Airbus 330-200 between Shanghai--Melbourne with

Flat-bed seats in Business Class, AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) Entertainment System equipped

in every seat, which has 50 movies and 3D interactive games. We will provide you

with a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. Coming in March......

Sydney Office Tel: (02) 9290 1148 Email: [email protected]

Melbourne Office Tel: (03) 8635 1000 Email: [email protected]

FEATURESP. 4. MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADORAustralian Ambassador to China, Ms Frances Adamson, looks at the Australia-China relationship going into 2014.

P. 9. PROFILE: FUTURIS AUTOMOTIVEChina and Asia are providing long-term opportunities for Australian auto part manufacturer, Futuris Automotive, writes Sophie Loras.

P. 16. HEAVEN ON EARTHAfter a recent trip to Hangzhou, home of China’s famed West Lake, David Thomas outlines the advantages for Australian companies to explore Chinese markets beyond the tier one cities of Shanghai and Beijing.

P. 26. COVER FEATURE: AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS IN CHINASophie Loras looks at the challenges for Australian architects operating in China.

P. 32. AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION: SNAPSHOTThe Australian Trade Commission’s Eliza Chui looks at the challenges ahead for the Australian education sector in China.

P. 33. MANUFACTURING IN CHINATake time to invest in your staff in China and there is no reason why manufacturing in China cannot produce top quality products, writes Tim McLean.

P. 34. SIGNIFICANT INVESTOR VISAThe five million dollar significant investor visa continues to attract attention in China. The Migration Institute of Australia gives an update on this much-hyped visa.

P. 36. WINE IN CHINA2013 was a bad year for high-end Australian wines in China, but the year of the horse should open up more opportunities, writes wine consultant Nikki Palun.

P. 37. REGIONAL PROFILE: SHANDONGBlaze Puksand and Matthew Warr highlight the strong business links and opportunities between China’s eastern coastal province of Shandong and Australia.

REGULARSP. 2. PUBLISHER’S LETTER

P. 6. PEOPLE WATCH

P. 8. BUILDING BULLETIN

P. 10. COLUMNS FROM THE AUSTRALIA CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL, THE AUSTRALIA CHINA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, AUSTCHAM SHANGHAI & AUSTCHAM BEIJING & AUSTCHAM HK AND MACAU, THE HONG KONG AUSTRALIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION and ASIALINK.

P. 20. MAINLAND MOMENTS: KAREN TYE Karen Tye looks at the stories behind young Australian entrepreneurs living and working in Shanghai.

P. 22. COMMENT: ROWAN CALLICK Rowan Callick looks at the challenges ahead for both the Chinese and Australian governments as they enter the Year of the Horse.

P. 38. CHINESE SECTION

4 27 247

CONTRIBUTORS

Nikki Palun recently started her own wine company, Henty Lane Wines, after eight years as De Bortoli Wines, Australia’s export manager. Henty Lane produces

wine from various regions throughout Australia and focusses on exporting to China. Nikki studied Mandarin at Monash University and Nanjing Teachers Training College and is currently studying a Masters of Oenology & Viticulture at Charles Sturt University.

Over the past decade, Karen Tye has held reporting and editing positions both in Australia and China and is a weekly contributor to the Sunday

Herald Sun. Previously she has contributed to China’s Global Times and held the position of Shanghai Bureau Chief of Russian news agency Interfax. Originally from Melbourne, Karen was a community pharmacist in Australia and is currently based in Shanghai where she works as a medical writer for a multinational pharmaceutical company.

Rowan Callick is Asia-Pacific editor for the Australian and was previously Beijing-based China correspondent. He has also been the China correspondent (based

in Hong Kong) for the Australian Financial Review and a senior writer with Time magazine. He received the Graham Perkin Award for Journalist of the Year in 1995 and has won two Walkley Awards for Asia-Pacific coverage. Rowan is the author of Comrades and Capitalists: Hong Kong Since the Handover. In February, Rowan launched his latest book, Party Time, a ground-breaking book of reportage and analysis about the Chinese Communist Party.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

PROPERTY BOOM TIMES IN MELBOURNE

n PUBLISHER’S LETTER

A decade ago, it would have been quite rare in Australia to see large cranes silhouetted against the skylines of the outer suburbs of Australian cities, but that is indeed what we are seeing more and more of in cities like Melbourne and Sydney, as councils gradually permit increasing building heights. What is particularly interesting is how many of these sites are being developed by Chinese developers, many building for overseas buyers.

Is this creating an overheating or potential bubble within our residential development industry? Some might say yes, and others might say no – it depends on who you ask.

One long-established local developer I spoke to expressed concern of a flood of apartments in Melbourne within the next two years. We also need to ask ourselves how the infrastructure of cities such as Melbourne will cope with these rapidly rising populations.

However, on the flip side, these developments are doing great things for our local economy – our local banks, architects, town planners, lawyers and builders are certainly not complaining about the additional business these overseas developers and buyers are bringing with them to Australia.

A local real estate boom with Chinese buyers in particular has a flow-on effect on our education sector. In addition, many of these new modern migrants buy businesses, fit out their apartments, buy cars, purchase health insurance and encourage friends and relatives to visit Australia as a holiday destination. The flow on effect beyond property by these new migrants is speaking for itself.

So, is there a potential bubble being created in Melbourne by Chinese developers?

Judging by the complaints from Chinese developers in Melbourne, maybe yes. From where I stand, there seem to be more Chinese developers than sites, chasing each other for projects.

Peter Hua, the owner of AlphaMAC Property Group, a specialist marketing and development company, confirmed to me, that the majority of his sites sell within a week – and that is just through his own database. Recently he offered a site a project to build 10 town houses – and had 36 offers within 48 hours of marketing the plan.

Should we be concerned? In my opinion I believe that our city and other Australian cities can, and will, benefit from an expanding population coming from China and beyond. ü

Carl Jetter,Publisher, Australia China Connections.

NEWS

Australia China Connections is published bi-monthly by:Australia China Connections Pty LtdPO Box 275, Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC, 8009 AustraliaPhone: +61 (0)3 9650 1598Fax: +61 (0)3 9650 6832Web: www.chinaconnections.com.auEmail: [email protected]

Publisher: Carl JetterGeneral Manager: Jennifer (Weijing) DingManaging Editor: Sophie Loras Email: [email protected] Section Editor: Anqi WangEmail: [email protected] Columnists: Rowan Callick, Nikki Palun, Karen Tye, David Thomas Contributors: Frances Adamson, Peter Arkell, Duncan Calder, Eliza Chui, Peter Kerr, Tim McLean, Richard Petty, Blaze Puksand, Brendan Mason and Matthew WarrDesign: Yeah Design GroupCover Image: Suning Plaza, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province. (The Buchan Group)

TO ADVERTISE INAUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONSAUSTRALIA: Carl Jetter Tel: +61 3 9650 1598Email: [email protected]

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AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONSis proud to support members of :

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Opinions published in this journal are not necessarily those of the Australia China Business Council or the joint China AustChams

Copyright. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in English or any other language, without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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AUSTRALIA CHINACONNECTIONSTHE BILATERAL BUSINESS BULLETIN

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n MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA n

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be in touch again with Australia China Connections readers, at the start of what promises to be another important year in relations between our two countries.

China is central to Australia’s economic and strategic interests, and this is nowhere more evident than in our commercial relationship. Importantly, high levels of trade are being complemented by increased Chinese investment in Australia, across a diverse range of areas.

Demonstrating the welcome afforded to Chinese investment in Australia, the Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, recently approved State Grid’s bid to purchase Singapore Power’s electricity, gas and water infrastructure assets in eastern Australia.

This new phase – of significant infrastructure investment – adds to the 420 business investment proposals from China approved from 2005-06 to 2011-12. The

cumulative value of business and real estate proposals from China during that period exceeded A$90 billion. This is a record Australia is proud to point to.

And we should not forget that Australia is a similarly important partner for China. We are a reliable supplier of the minerals and energy that power China’s ongoing development – in recent years, Australia provided around half of China’s imported iron ore, and a quarter of its imported seaborne LNG and coal. Australia also contributes to growing Chinese living standards and food security through the supply of high-quality, competitively priced agricultural products, and backs this up with far-sighted agricultural cooperation to build strengths in these areas together.

Every year, we contribute materially to the building of Chinese human capital and talents, with well in excess of 100,000 Chinese students studying in Australia. Importantly, we also welcome many of those

students to stay in Australia after study, with the offer of post-study work visas to further their Australian experience.

In the other direction, China is one of the most popular destinations for young Australians studying overseas, with around 4000 studying in China each year.

Reflecting the strong state of bilateral relations, 2013 saw the establishment of a “strategic partnership” between Australia and China. Importantly, this incorporates an annual leaders’ meeting mechanism between the Australian Prime Minister and the Chinese Premier. This in turn is underpinned by two dialogues between, respectively, our foreign and economic ministers.

These interactions provide the opportunity for the senior leadership of each country to regularly focus on each other, developing the contact, familiarity and understanding so important to building an even stronger relationship in the years ahead.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop conducted the first Foreign and Strategic Dialogue during her successful visit to China in early December 2013.

Prior to Minister Bishop’s visit, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane came to Beijing and Tianjin in November 2013 and affirmed Australia’s commitment to further minerals and energy trade and investment between our two countries. This complemented Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb’s two visits – in October and November 2013 – emphasising again the importance of the commercial and broader relationship with China.

And, of course, another highlight of the year was the State Visit made to China by Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, at the invitation of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. It is also notable that every State and Territory leader visited China last year.

2013 also saw Australia’s newest diplomatic mission established in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The Consulate-General in Chengdu will provide a direct link to the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou and the municipality of Chongqing – a diverse region of 190 million people, which together,

4 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 5 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

showed GDP growth of around 13 percent in 2012. The Consulate-General is already working to advance Australia's interests in south west China, promoting trade and investment as well as people to people links. Its establishment demonstrates the importance Australia places on engaging with China’s rapidly growing inland regions. Our Consul-General in Chengdu, Ms Nancy Gordon, and I are keen to broaden and deepen our business, political and cultural relations there.

Late 2013 also was an important time for China, with the meeting of the Third Plenum of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee taking place in October. Statements released since the Third Plenum have covered many significant reform areas, including land, the hukou system, fiscal policy and measures to further improve the operation of SOEs.

I was particularly encouraged to see the focus on increasing the role of the market and further opening up, which over time should assist Australian business to obtain greater access to Chinese markets, whether that is trade in goods, greater involvement in services industries or increased investment opportunities.

Beyond the diverse and increasing official links between Australia and China, it also is pleasing to see how much our bilateral relations continue to develop in the non-government sphere. Through countless private company visits, trade missions,

academic exchanges and relationship building in arts, science, culture, youth, the media and beyond, these developments are very heartening and point to an ever-more-robust and resilient relationship.

And what lies ahead in 2014?

After his meeting in Bali with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that he intended to visit China in the first half of 2014. He said he intended to bring with him a delegation of State Premiers, business, academic, science and cultural leaders. We look forward to his visit, one that will be sure to demonstrate the breadth and vibrancy of the relationship.

And of course the Government has set itself the target of concluding the Australia-China FTA in 2014. Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb’s visit to Beijing in November was an important step towards this goal. After meeting with Commerce Minister Gao, Mr Robb said both sides had established a basis for concluding the FTA soon.

In 2014, China and Australia also host, respectively, APEC and the G20. Although the focus of most attention is on the year-end Leaders’ meetings, it is important to note that meetings will be held across China and Australia throughout the year, many involving Ministers and business leaders. We are keen to see that our two countries, as

hosts, coordinate our efforts to ensure that we can produce the best outcomes from APEC and the G20. With the focus on commerce, trade and international finance paramount, business community support and action will be important to their success. Hosting such gatherings also means that Prime Minister Abbott can be expected to come to China again at the time of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting towards the end of the year, and President Xi to visit Australia for the G20 Summit in mid-November in Brisbane.

We will also seek to advance implementation of the New Colombo Plan, a signature initiative of the Australian Government. The Plan will see Australia supporting its undergraduate students to undertake study and internships in the Indo-Pacific region, thereby increasing mutual understanding and enhancing Australia’s links with this fast-growing region. The New Colombo Plan is currently being piloted in four regional locations and will be rolled out more widely from 2015. My Australian diplomatic colleagues in China and I look forward to further discussions on this important new initiative in 2014.

Looking ahead, I’m also pleased to see the cultural calendar taking shape for 2014. In March, the Embassy and our colleagues in Australian Consulates-General across China will be hosting our 7th annual Australian Writers Week, this year themed around “Asian-Australian Literature”. Later in the year, we will be working with the cultural and business communities to promote Australian talent in the creative – film, fashion and design – industries. The extraordinary Warburton Indigenous art exhibition continues its multi-city tour across China, with further stops confirmed in 2014, after seven exhibitions across southern, western and northern China in the second half of 2013. And I shouldn’t forget to mention that the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be back in China again in mid-2014, touring Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Xi’an, Shenzhen and Guangzhou – one for lovers of world-class classical music to keep an ear out for!

Finally, I’d like to wish the Australian community in China, and in Australia, the very best for 2014. May the coming year of the horse be a fulfilling one for you, your families, and your Chinese partners, and I look forward to staying in touch through the course of the year. ü

Frances Adamson,Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, during a State Visit to China with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

FULL STEAM AHEADAustralian Ambassador to China, Frances Adamson, outlines the strengths of the Australia-China relationship going into the Chinese Year of the Horse.

PEOPLE WATCHMOVEMENTS, PROMOTIONS AND NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE AUSTRALIA CHINA BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

Duncan Calder is the Australia China Business Council’s new national president, replacing outgoing president Frank Tudor. Prior

to taking up his position, Duncan was the ACBC’s Senior Vice President and State President for ACBC Western Australia. Duncan is also a partner of the international accounting firm KPMG and is the partner in charge of both KPMG’s China Business Practice and Forensic Services teams in WA. He has extensive experience as a corporate adviser on many Sino-Australian trade and investment activities, working for major Chinese state owned enterprises, Chinese private companies and Australian companies engaging in trade or seeking capital from China.

Ian McCubbin has been elected the ACBC’s Senior Vice President, John Li Treasurer, and Shanghai-based Paul Glasson reappointed as the ACBC’s China National Vice President.

Christopher Wright has relocated from Shanghai to Amsterdam to take up his new role of Compliance and Risk for Sandvik Mining

on a global basis. Christopher has been Sandvik Mining’s Sales head for Sandvik Mining in China for the past two years and was based in Shanghai. Prior to that, he was the China country manager for Austrade starting in 2006. Previous appointments have included appointments in BAE Systems in China and Australia, Siemens and the RAAF.

The Buchan Group Shanghai recently appointed Joburt Betadam as Head of Business for China / Asia, leading business growth from the

firm’s Shanghai office. As one of the leading Australian architectural practices across Australasia, The Buchan Group has seen significant expansion in China

and with this appointment, it is expected that the future business model will be further integrated into the Asian marketplace. Joburt has over 10 years’ experience in China, having established and run two successful architectural practices, designing a range of projects across China, prior to joining The Buchan Group. Joburt is leading the business into the next phase of growth with a particular emphasis on retail and mixed-use developments.

Ranelle Cliff is returning to Sydney to join engineering consulting firm Arup’s consulting team in the role of Senior Project Manager where she

will project manage a number of existing key infrastructure projects in the Sydney area. Ranelle will continue to develop and build the Arup knowledge network throughout Australia and Asia in her new role. Ranelle has spent the past three years in Shanghai with Arup as a Project Manager primarily working with a global client managing their corporate real estate profile in Shanghai and across North Asia. Her role included working to connect staff and best practice across a number of offices and clients. She has also served as chair of AustCham Shanghai’s CSR committee.

Aurecon –Warren Yaung and John Webb Global engineering and management firm Aurecon continues to strengthen its capability in Asia with the appointments of Warren

Yeung as Unit Manager Buildings China and John Webb as Buildings Leader – Asia.

Warren joined Aurecon in September 2013 and brings over 25 years of mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP), design and project management experience. Warren has worked extensively in all facets of the property industry in China, Hong Kong and Macau. He has particular expertise in hotels and high technology industrial projects. Previously, Warren has held senior positions with WSP and J Roger Preston.

John moves to Aurecon’s Hong Kong office as Buildings Leader – Asia. John has relocated from the Sydney office where he was the Development Manager for Property across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He has worked with Aurecon for over 25 years and has been involved in tall building projects in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Abu Dhabi, Vietnam and Australia.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau has announced the appointment of Dean White as the Chamber’s new

Chief Executive. Dean has an extensive background in business development, event management, hospitality, and recruitment having previously worked with global companies including Hyatt International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Manpower Group.

Dean replaces Kirsty Boazman who held the position since 2011. Kirsty left the Chamber in November to take up the role of Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane.

n PEOPLE WATCH

*If you or your organisation have a human resources related announcement to make, or you know of people on the move, please send details to [email protected]

GALLOPING INTO THE CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE HORSE

NEWS n

AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 7 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

YEAR OF THE HORSE The Horse is noble, intelligent, strong, swift

and outgoing, – boding well for a fast-paced year ahead. Cities around Australia celebrated Chinese heritage and culture with a number of high profile events to celebrate the incoming Chinese Year of the Horse, not least Sydney’s famous Chinese New Year Twilight parade. The event attracts thousands of spectators and involves 12-month’s preparation. The city holds a two-week Chinese New Year festival which includes Asian art themed exhibitions, Lunar new year feasts and markets, history tours by bike, dragon boat racing and a Dragon Ball, but the show stopper is the annual parade which winds its way from the Sydney Town Hall, through Sydney’s Chinatown and to

Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour for a midnight fireworks display.

This year’s Year of the Horse themed-parade included prancing ponies, martial arts displays, projections lighting up the facades of Sydney’s CBD buildings, performers, musicians and colourful horse-themed floats from the local Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities.

Melbourne’s Dockland precinct kicked off its two-week celebration with its 100 metre-long illuminated Chinese dragon – the Docklands Dragon. The custom built installation stands 10 metres high at the head, and was handmade by renowned Chinese designer Sichuan Tianyu, the company behind the Rotterdam Light Festival in the Netherlands.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR AUSTCHAM WESTPAC ACBA2014

Nominations have now opened for the AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards. This annual event celebrates the success of Australian business in China, recognising companies that have worked to deliver Australian products or services to the Greater China region.

These awards have grown in stature over the years and are now acknowledged as a key event on the Australia China calendar.

The Awards cover a broad spectrum; from small entrepreneur’s right through to some of Australia’s largest publically listed companies.

Beijing-based Mic Mittasch, the CEO and Owner of Mitchells Equipment was the winner of last year’s Austrade Business Excellence Award for Small and Medium Enterprises at the AustCham Westpac ACBA:2013.

Since acquiring the heavy-duty equipment manufacturing business – Mitchells – from its Canadian owner in 2006, Mr Mittasch expanded the business to grow to more than 100 employees, and exporting to more than 30 countries. Sales revenue quadrupled from US$3.2 million in 2006 to US$13 million in 2012.

Mr Mittasch says being a recipient of an

Australia-China Business Award has given the business recognition that “we are doing business in China the right way.”

“This award is great for our company and great for our customers. This award gives us credibility for our business.”

Amongst the many benefits that finalists and winners of the Awards program receive is participation in an extensive promotional campaign that reaches the media, government entities and leading business decision makers across Greater China and in Australia.

Winners will be announced at a black tie gala dinner on May 29, 2014 in Shanghai. ü

Melbourne’s 100-metre Dockland Dragon

Australian-Chinese artist Hu Ming’s Safety and Peace in Four Seasons (Detail). (Reproduced courtesy City of Sydney) which forms part of the City of Sydney’s 2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse festival programme.

Mic Mittasch, CEO and Owner of Mitchells Equipment accepts his Austrade Business Excellence Award for Small and Medium Enterprises at the AustCham Westpac ACBA:2013 with fellow employees.

Sydney’s Chinese New Year Twilight parade is a show stopper. (City of Sydney)

Cities around Australia have celebrated the Chinese New Year of the Horse with much fanfare.

For full details visit www.austcham-china.com

n BUILDING BULLETIN NEWS

*If you have any news you would like included in Building Bulletin, please email the editor: [email protected]

BUILDING BULLETINDESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND THE LATEST CONSTRUCTION NEWS

HASSELL’s Dali Cang Shan Holiday Resort Hotel

Dali Cang Shan Holiday Resort Hotel is one of the first hotels in Cang Shan to be operated by an international hotel chain. HASSELL designed the architecture and interior of this project in China’s south-western Yunnan province. The resort stands at the foot of the Cang Shan mountain range and overlooks the Dali Ancient town and Erhai Lake. The site is rich in culture and blessed with breathtaking scenery.The design is intended to showcase the most natural and authentic side of Dali. The design was inspired by five visual elements: the year-round snowcapped peak of Mountain Cang, the ever-changing cloud formations shrouding the mountains, the emerald waters of Lake Erhai, the terraced rice fields and traditional houses of the minority Bai people.

HASSELL’s Palm Island recognised at design awards

HASSELL’s Chongqing Palm Island project recently won several design awards including a bronze award at the 2013 MIPIM Asia Awards, winner of the Perspective Magazine’s “Best Commercial,

Retail or Office” Architecture category and was recognized for design excellence in CIHAF2013’s “commercial building – mixed-use” category. The MIPIM Asia Awards consist of 11 categories and recognises the best works in Asia. Palm Island, Chongqing won in the “Best Retail & Leisure Development.”

LAB secures two contracts in Jiangsu province

LAB Architecture Studio has recently completed a detailed urban framework for Nanjing’s South Taiping Road. The 2km-long commercial street sits in the heart of the city and links the former Presidential Palace and the Confucius Temple. The redevelopment coincides with construction of a new underground metro line. LAB’s framework protects and enhances the heritage buildings and the key character of the street, while setting detailed design guidelines for major new developments sites with a capacity of 750,000m². Working closely with local authorities, LAB has upgraded the movement network of the precinct, ensuring Nanjing’s old “Golden Street” is revitalized as a well-defined, active and pedestrian-friendly commercial boulevard.

LAB completes Wujin Council BuildingConstruction of LAB’s Wujin Xitaihu Council Building has also come to completion – the winning design

for the city’s new government office complex incorporates a 5-star hotel with full conference and meeting capability together with a range of restaurant and support facilities. The dramatic form of the building is part of the project’s integrated sustainable design, generated to create a self-shading form, which works in conjunction with a proposed sun shading and variable façade panel system to reduce peak heat loading. This building is designed to achieve a 2 star Chinese green star energy rating (equivalent to Australian 5 star green building rating).

Woods Bagot’s Vanke Plaza unveiled in Beijing

The 104,400m² Vanke Plaza, located in the heart of Changping District, Beijing, and designed by Woods Bagot’s San Francisco and Beijing studios, was unveiled on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2013. The new shopping mall reflects thoughtful retail planning coupled with innovative material application and was designed as a lively, vibrant and ‘colourful’ building, with a light and airy configuration that adheres to Vanke’s simple and elegant vision.

HASSELL’s Dali Cang Shan Holiday Resort Hotel

HASSELL’s Palm Island in Chongqing

LAB’s South Taiping Road in Nanjing

LAB’s Wujin Xitaihu Council Building

The Vanke Plaza in Beijing’s Changping district (Woods Bagot)

ASIA OPENS DOORS FOR AUSTRALIA’S AUTO SECTOR

NEWS: MANUFACTURING n


In 2005 Dexter Clarke was sent to China by his Australian company as part of a team to set up its first Chinese manufacturing plant in a joint venture with a Chinese car manufacturer.

Two year’s earlier the company had begun its foray into China, visiting 180 car producers and suppliers, then working with Austrade to set up a strategy map.

For one year, Mr Clarke commuted between his new home in Nanjing and the factory outpost of Wuhu in Anhui province to work on the project between his company – Futuris Automotive – a Melbourne-based business which designs and manufactures automotive seating and interior components for vehicle makers – and Chinese car maker Chery.

At that time, Mr Clarke could not have foreseen just how significant that first venture in China would be. That year Chery produced 70,000 cars in China. Today it produces 700,000.

The initial project in Wuhu not only gave Futuris its foothold in China, but has helped it secure new business opportunities across the Asia Pacific region.

Today, Futuris has manufacturing plants and joint venture projects in Wuhu, Hefei, Changsha, Minyang and Dalian, and regional headquarters in Shanghai.

Most recently, in November 2013, Futuris launched its first wholly-owned foreign enterprise – a manufacturing plant in Wuxi, to supply parts for Chinese passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturer, SAIC, Ford and US electric carmaker Tesla. The Wuxi plant is expected to double the business’s turnover in

China.Futuris has also expanded its operations in

Thailand where its 1000-strong work force in Rayon make up almost half of all Futuris employees. It also has operations in Australia and North America. Future markets being considered include India and Indonesia.

When Futuris first entered the Chinese market it strategically targeted ‘rising tigers’ such as Chery, Chinese truck and passenger car-maker JAC, Sichuan car manufacturer Brilliance, and more recently winning supply for SAIC’s domestic sales.

Futuris manufactures its products in the countries where clients manufacture their cars. And while the Australian auto sector has continued to shrink, expanding into growing Asian markets is proving a boon for the business.

Today Mr Clarke is Futuris’s Chief Financial Officer. He says operating in China has been challenging in a positive way.

“It’s a continuing learning curve – knowing what is possible and what is not. What we had to learn was mainly cultural – how to work with the Chinese businesses and people and what their expectations were,” he says.

In the early days, much of his time in China was spent training people who were keen to learn but just as keen to take their new foreign experience to higher paying jobs into the major cities.

“The challenge was retaining staff, but today, people are more career influenced,” says Mr Clarke.

It has been important for us to learn to run our businesses like Chinese businesses, he says.

“We needed to culturally adapt to our customers – understand how to negotiate and to listen to what our Chinese customers really wanted, and deliver product the market wanted and not forcing a product on them.”

Mr Clarke anticipates continued growth in China, with plans to add to the business’s customer base, build and manage relationships, have more factories in China and look at potential acquisitions.

“China is one of our cornerstone markets going forward – it has to be. It’s the world’s biggest automotive market,” he says.

He says one of the biggest misconceptions about China is that the streets are paved in gold. “People see the opportunities and think it’s easy – and it’s not – you have to work twice as hard in China as you would in your own country.”

Guanxi – the Chinese concept of networking and developing strong relationships – is also misunderstood.

“The advice we give others is that in China there is a level of importance around some of the superficial stuff but fundamentally strong relationships are the key everywhere,” says Mr Clarke.

Futuris currently employs over 2000 people globally, with 700 in Australia. As the auto sector in Australia winds up, Mr Clarke concedes that many jobs in the industry will move offshore.

“Automotive manufacturing careers will open up for Australians in Asia,” he says.

“There has definitely been a shift in that respect. And people from Australian industry are in demand in China.”

The business has faced many challenges expanding into China but has stuck it out, Mr Clarke says – “thankfully they did.”

“The Chinese have been doing business for a very long time – the history is long and deep and they do business very well,” says Mr Clarke.

“What we are proud of is that we’ve created an Australian business that has a life beyond what happens here in Australia.” ü

Official opening ceremony of Futuris’ new wholly owned manufacturing facility in Wuxi.

The opening of Futuris Automotive’s first wholly owned manufacturing facility in Wuxi shows there is still a future for Australia’s automotive sector – but strategic, long-term planning into international markets is the key, writes Sophie Loras.

n TOURISM NEWS NEWS: BUSINESS PERCEPTION SURVEY n

10 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 11

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS SENTIMENT IN CHINA OPTIMISTIC

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

Australian companies operating on the ground in greater China have a positive outlook of the country’s economy in the coming 12 months and expect their operations in China to continue growing, according to results of the 2013 China Business Perceptions survey.

The joint report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in China and the Australian Trade Commission found 83 percent of respondents were optimistic about the overall outlook for the mainland Chinese economy over the next 12 months – up from the 2012 survey.

Members of the Australian Chambers of Commerce in Shanghai, Beijing, West China, South China and Hong Kong & Macau were invited to participate in the Sweeney Research survey conducted between October and November last year.

Almost all respondents – 95 percent – have operations in mainland China, with Shanghai, Guangdong and Beijing the top three most popular Chinese regions. A third of respondents operate in the Hong Kong and Macau regions.

The responses show that Australian businesses operating in greater China are even more confident about the prospects for their businesses in China compared to a year earlier when seven out of 10 respondents were optimistic about China’s economic future.

More than half of the respondents said 2013 was more profitable than 2012, paralleling results from a year earlier when around half reported 2012 as more profitable than 2011.

Three in four business indicated they would likely expand their China operations over the next five years, with two-thirds of those expecting to expand within the next two years.

Tier-one cities Beijing and Shanghai topped the list of regions where expansion was most likely to occur, followed by Guangdong and Hong Kong. The inland western regions of Chongqing and Sichuan – where the Chinese government has actively promoted investment and growth – were seen as more likely locations for expansion than the traditional eastern coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

Drivers when planning for extending operations were: access to customers (53 percent) and expanding capacity to meet demand (47 percent). Those planning to expand into Western China indicated access to customers as the primary reason for expansion (76 percent).

Despite the positive sentiment, four in five of the businesses surveyed said competition

had increased over the past 12 months. Strongest competition came from local mainland Chinese competitors and foreign-owned competitors operating in China.

Key obstacles to growth for respondents with operations in mainland China were the availability of skilled staff, lack of transparency in organisational practices and an unclear regulatory environment.

However, key competitive advantages cited for Australian companies operating in China were quality of products and services, client relationships, range of offerings and innovation, according to the results.

Austrade Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell said regular research on Australian businesses in China was critical to understanding the trading relationship and developing long-term policy settings.

“China is Australia’s largest trading partner, accounting for more than a quarter of all our goods and services trade last year. It is also an increasingly important source of, and destination for, foreign direct investment,” Mr Thirlwell said.

“As such, it’s important for us to understand the opportunities and the constraints facing Australian businesses. This year’s survey delivers significant insights into what some of those businesses think about China’s economic prospects and the obstacles they face,” he said.

AustCham Shanghai Chairman, Peter Arkell said the survey was a reality check.

“There is a lot written and spoken about the Chinese economy and its impact on Australia, yet often these are observations that are made a long way from the day-to-day realities of operating in China,” Mr Arkell said.

“The AustCham business community in Greater China is ideally placed to comment on

how real business for Australian companies is tracking in the current economic environment and provide information to the broader Australian industry,” he said.

AustCham South China Chair Kevin Li said the survey provided important grounds for proactive strategic approaches that were “essential to succeed with the major changes of China’s growth model.” ü

More than 80 percent of Chinese tourists say their travel experience to Australia met or exceeded expectations, according to recent research from Tourism Research Australia.

Interviews with 3,600 Chinese visitors to Australia during 2013, found that 90 percent were satisfied with their trip to Australia and 83 per cent said their trip met or exceeded expectations. In a boon for Australia, 85 percent of visitors were likely to recommend Australia as a holiday destination.

Chinese visitors overwhelmingly said Australia’s natural environment and livability were the main reasons they would recommend Australia to family and friends.

Safety and friendly Australians also rated highly with 96 percent of Chinese tourists particularly happy with personal safety and security, and 94 percent with the friendliness of locals.

Australia’s natural environment formed an essential part of the Chinese visitor experience with 65 percent hoping to have a nature-based experience and 26 percent a wildlife experience. Almost half cited Australia’s unspoilt natural environment as the single best feature of Australia. Overall, 93 percent of Chinese visitors expecting a nature-based experience had their expectations met or exceeded.

Other key points of satisfaction were Australia’s attractions (77 percent), wine experiences (72 percent) and food and beverages (69 per cent). Down on the satisfaction list was

‘value for money and shopping,’ with only 50 per cent of Chinese visitors satisfied with shopping in Australia. Satisfaction levels were higher for independent travellers from China than they were for group tourists.

Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb said the survey findings demonstrated the quality of the Australian tourism industry and were encouraging to all operators as the industry sought to attract further tourism from China.

There were 685,000 Chinese visitors to Australia in the 2012-2013 year – an 18 percent increase on the previous year. In 2013, Chinese inbound tourism expenditure hit A$4.4 billion. By 2022−2023, the number of Chinese visitors is forecast to increase to 1.4 million and expenditure to reach A$8.2 billion.

Mr Robb said the government was committed to seeking further Foreign Direct Investment into the Australian tourism industry to develop high-yield luxury tourism accommodation to leverage Australia’s natural advantages.

“We understand from compounding research that China’s growing middle-class demographic are seeking high-end luxury tourism experiences – and we are well placed in Australia to provide those experiences if we have the right infrastructure,” he said.

Dr Leo Jago, Chief Economist for TRA, said the report was good news for the Australian tourism sector.

“It means the majority of Chinese visitors

are likely to recommend Australia as a holiday destination to their family and friends,’ Dr Jago said.

“These visitors make an important contribution to our economy. China is Australia’s fastest growing inbound tourism market and tourists from China are the largest spenders in Australia,” he said.

The high rating of nature-based experiences amongst Chinese tourists should bode well for states and territories beyond Victoria and New South Wales hoping to tap into this burgeoning market.

Dr Benxiang Zeng, an Alice Springs-based Senior Research Fellow with the Charles Darwin University says the results should prompt the Northern Territory to prepare for a dramatic increase in Chinese tourists.

Dr Zeng said he was optimistic that the Territory could position itself to better tap into the Chinese outbound tourism market, which appears poised for significant growth over the next few years.

“Potentially, we are talking about big numbers, big opportunities and big dollars,” Dr Zeng said.

Last year about 900,000 travellers from the Greater China Region visited Australia but only about 13,000 visited the Northern Territory.

“The question ‘how should destination regions such as the Northern Territory prepare to welcome more Chinese tourists’ is one that I reflect on a lot,” Dr Zeng said.

He agreed that nature-based experiences should be a key focus of marketing activities directed at Chinese visitors.

“As the survey points out, some 65 percent of Chinese visitors desire this sort of experience in their Australian travels. They love to get away from their overcrowded cities to see an unspoilt natural environment and to experience the exotic culture,” Dr Zeng said.

“I know that work is being done in regard to this but there are still millions of Chinese people who think of Australia in terms of Sydney and Melbourne.”

Dr Zeng said investing in Chinese language information including online messages, printed materials, visual products and signage in public places as well as raising awareness through social media, were key ways of promoting the Northern Territory as a tourist destination to people in China. ü

OBSTACLES TO GROWTH (EXTREMELY HIGH / HIGH IMPACT, PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS):Key obstacles impacting respondents’ operations in mainland China were the availability of skilled staff, lack of transparency in organisational practices and an unclear regulatory environment. *Source: Australia-China Business Perceptions Survey, December 2013.

Australia continues to exceed the expectations of Chinese tourists according to latest figures from Tourism Research Australia.

Chinese tourists want nature based experiences according to the TRA China survey. Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles (Tourism Australia / Richard Powers)

n COLUMN FROM THE AUSTRALIA CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL

12 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS

As the National President of the Australia China Business Council, the leading Sino-Australian trade and investment bilateral trade organisation in Australia, I am keen to build on the strong platform built under our previous board led by Frank Tudor.

We have now broadened the ACBC’s leadership team with well-known Sino-Australian lawyer Ian McCubbin being appointed as National Chairman and Paul Glasson, a prominent, China-based investment banker, being appointed as President China Operations and National Vice President. The three of us, along with our fellow board directors will work together seamlessly to represent the Council in Australia and in China in the delivery of the board’s agenda.

We plan to continue to improve our traditionally strong core activities in organising major networking and business collaboration events in Australia and China and in generating thought leadership to drive the Sino-Australian trade and investment agenda and debate forward.

On March 17, 2014, we will again host our annual Canberra Networking Day at which our members have access to the Prime Minister and other leading Government Ministers of the day in an intimate, Chatham House Rule setting at Parliament House. A senior opposition representative and senior government officials will also engage with our members in informal debate and Q&A on the latest issues in the China relationship.

Within Australia, we will expand our geographic footprint with a Regionalisation Committee. This committee will look into establishing an ACBC branch in Tasmania and a presence in Canberra, as well as rolling out a regionalisation programme across Australia along the lines implemented in Western Australia that has seen committees established in the Mid-West, South-West and now Pilbara regions.

We are also focussing strongly on the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) core of our membership base, with our National Board member and South Australian President, Sean Keenihan forming and leading an SME

Committee of the National Board with an ambitious charter. Given the extraordinary success that Sean has achieved in trebling our membership base in South Australia, I am very excited about how we will move forward with a sharp focus on helping our SME members to achieve greater success in their China dealings.

Whilst we are a business council, we also need to pay close attention to the broader relationship and context within which business takes place between the two great countries of Australia and China. It is essential that community sentiment in each country is favourable towards the trade and investment relationship. There is no better way to foster and improve positive sentiment than through increased people-to-people exchanges.

We have much to contribute, both as a council and through our members, in building closer sporting, art, cultural and philanthropic linkages between Australia and China. Just last month I was delighted to attend a signing ceremony for an exciting deal in the film industry that effectively sees Chinese entrepreneurs funding the set-up of a meaningful film animation industry in Western Australia. The potential to expand these initiatives is significant and the free trade negotiation process certainly is one channel that we need to pursue to develop our services, agriculture, financial services, tourism and education sectors amongst others.

I am delighted that in this context, our national board member and Western Australian President, Adam Handley, has formed, and is leading, the Cultural Co-operation Committee of the National Board. In the past ACBC has assisted in establishing the Australia China International Basketball Challenge between the Australian Boomers and Team China and has brought many Chinese cultural performers to our shores. Adam has an exciting agenda to deepen and broader our cultural co-operation and I strongly encourage all our members and all of us engaged in trade with China to support this initiative.

I am also excited for the council’s members by the fresh energy and momentum brought to

the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the new government as well as the New Colombo Plan agenda introduced by Australian Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop.

The National Board of the ACBC is also introducing new initiatives to better share and leverage the great ideas and events occurring at each of our branches. This will help us to achieve greater synergy and benefit from close co-operation. Not enough people in the business community understand that our Victorian branch ran some 37 events last year alone, making an important contribution to the Sino-Australia agenda.

We also look forward to building closer and deeper relationships with our sister AustCham organisations on the ground in greater China. Our President of China Operations is driving this important agenda and to team Australians working together seamlessly and effectively in China.

Of course, whilst the enhanced agenda for the council is ambitious, we plan to expand further in the future as we make progress, for example expanding nationally the industry focus that exists at many branches, as well as looking at diversity / women’s issues as well.

The ACBC has achieved much in the past as a bilateral trade council in contributing to the Sino-Australian trade and investment relationship and to boosting friendship between the two countries. With our new Board, our enhanced structure and our ambitious agenda, we are confident that we will expand and deepen that contribution to the most important economic relationship impacting Australian business – that between Australia and China. ü

ENHANCING AUSTRALIA-CHINA TRADE RELATIONSDuncan Calder, the new national president of the Australia China Business Council, outlines the organisation’s expanded agenda in the coming 12 months.

For more information about the Australia China Business Council, visit: www.acbc.com.au


COLUMN FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BEIJING n


It is a common perception that things don’t happen overnight in China.

When people talk about doing business in China, they often refer to ‘guanxi’ and the need to develop relationships – but it could be argued that developing and managing relationships isn’t just a key part of conducting business in China. Invariably, many people prefer doing business with people they already know and whom they trust.

There is, however, another aspect to doing business here in China, which is just as important – the need to take a long-term approach.

Perhaps the most famous exposition of how different cultures take differing approaches to time scale, comes from work conducted over more than 40 years by psychologist Geert Hofstede in the 1960s and 1970s. Using his research of IBM employees in 72 countries, Hofstede drew up four psychological dimensions to describe the effect of a society’s culture on the values of its members, and how those values relate to behaviour.

But having spent time in Asia, he realised that there were elements that were not being captured by the original studies. Based on the work of Michael Bond, who had developed a survey with Chinese respondents, which took into account a different set of questions, Hofstede added a fifth dimension to the framework that measured the long-term versus short-term orientation of the respondents.

In the Hofstede schema, those countries which hold long-term orientation in high esteem are more likely to value persistence over immediate results. They look towards the future. By contrast, short-term oriented societies are more concerned with values related to the past or to the present.

This is particularly relevant in business decisions: long-term oriented cultures will seek to have long-term commitments, whereas those who ascribe to a short-term orientation might make quicker decisions in order to gain more immediate results.

A corollary for personal behaviour relates to how income is used – long-term cultures tend to save, short-term cultures tend to spend.

Some of the key characteristics associated with the two typologies are as follows:

Different countries perform in terms of long-term orientation. Those most likely to have long-term orientation are clustered around North-East Asia – China tops the list, followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. By contrast Western countries, including Australia, the US and UK, have a much lower long-term orientation. (African countries, according to the research, have the shortest orientation of all).

So what does this mean for strategy development for Australian businesses in China?

Clearly, on first entry to the Chinese market, you cannot expect to get the kind of immediate results you might expect in another more short-term oriented country.

Here are some ideas that may assist Australian businesses in developing a strategy for a country with a long-term orientation like China.

• build long-term relationships by sharing information, arranging visits to facilities, meet with employees

• rather than aiming to have things completed and signed off, be prepared to take a more working document approach. Agreements become living documents that evolve and grow as the relationship grows, set up a working committee to take the agreement to new and higher places as the relationship develops

• doing business in China can be ambiguous and volatile: short-term indicators may be misleading. Be prepared to take a smoothing approach when measuring operational indicators

• Changing key managers can lead to staff discontent – take longer to hire the right person rather than rushing in to fill a key role

• Research design web and online presence for countries with longer-term values

From a political perspective, coming from a country such as Australia, with a short political cycle, there are challenges to adopting a long-term orientation. Overall misalignment between our government structure and terms versus Chinese longer terms requires careful management. For example, the Australian government’s commitment to conclude a free trade agreement with China within the next 12 months is welcomed by the Australian business community here in China, however the success of any FTA with China is going to depend on a long-term strategic approach and a process that allows it to evolve over time as priorities develop and as the relationship evolves.

Taking a long-term orientation is not code for losing money, rather it’s a frame of mind that allows us to reset our perspective. Often volatility and ambiguity define doing business in China, taking a smoothing approach in measurement indicators which allows managers to guide country level business units toward an eventual goal are preferred to only measuring short-term measures. Putting this idea into practice requires a slightly different level of business acumen. ü

To learn more about AustCham Beijing and for a full listing of upcoming Chamber events, visit: www.austcham.org

China presents huge opportunities in business and trade, but a short-term approach to doing business here doesn’t always bring about long-term results, writes AustCham Beijing Chair, Brendan Mason.

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN CHINA

Long-term orientation values

PersistenceRole of status in relationshipsAdaptabilityUnimportance of personal timeSave money, be thriftyInvestment in real estateEmployment and relationships

Short-term orientation

Values immediacyDisregards statusPersonal stubbornnessFavours time for selfSpend money, enjoy itInvestment in mutual fundsBottom line important

STRONG POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES IN CHINAAustralians working on the ground in China remain highly optimistic about their business prospects going into the future, writes AustCham Shanghai chairman, Peter Arkell.

n COLUMN FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SHANGHAI COLUMN FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG AND MACAU n

So much is written and spoken about China and particularly the Chinese economy and its impact on Australia, yet often these are observations that are made a long way from the day-to-day realities of operating in China. Regrettably, often these observations are not helpful because they are based on a misreading of the China market.

In fact, it can be far worse than regrettable, because investment and business decisions can be made that are based on a skewed view of the real situation in China. It must be difficult for boards to consider their China investment strategy when there are daily reports of “slowdown”, “hard landing”, “negative PMI numbers”. At times, for those who are on the ground doing business in China, it can seem like there are two Chinas; one that is the world in which we live and work, and the other is in some other universe that is facing sudden disaster.

The Australian business community in Shanghai, and Greater China for that matter, is best placed to take a reading of this market and its outlook. Members of the Australia China business community and their reading of China is based on day-to-day experience in this enormous and complex country and their views should be taken into account for an accurate picture to be formed. They are ideally placed to observe how business for Australian

companies is tracking in the current economic environment.

For the past two years AustCham and Austrade have taken the pulse of Australian business perceptions in Greater China. The latest survey has recently been released and is broadly available, including on the AustCham Shanghai website (www.austchamshanghai.com). To have this snapshot, which is specifically enquiring of our Australian business sentiment in China, presents a valuable insight into how we as a business community view the current market conditions and where we might be heading. It also provides a reality check.

The findings are particularly notable for the growth in the optimistic outlook expressed by the respondents. In the first study done in late 2012, we thought that it was remarkable that 69 percent of the respondents had an optimistic outlook for the coming year. A year down the track, that sentiment has become even more pronounced with 83 percent saying that they had an optimistic view of the coming year’s business in China.

That was significant also because 85 percent said that they are expecting the level of competition to grow over the coming year. The competitors were expected to be an even mix of Chinese and international companies, yet the positive outlook was based on the prediction

that they expect to see the market to continue to grow in China. In fact, of the 77 percent of respondents who said that they expected their businesses to grow in size over the next five years, half of these said that the growth would be required to meet increasing demand in the China market.

This positive business sentiment may not reflect the tone expressed among commentators in Australia as they look at China and the global economy. Yet the findings have reinforced the views delivered in the study last year. The AustChams in Greater China have a rare ability to tap into the real-time sentiment of doing business in China. Perhaps it says something of those Australians who are engaged on the ground here in China that they have such an overwhelming positive outlook for the next few years.

Australia China Business Awards

In the coming months there will be an opportunity to celebrate these business successes with the Westpac sponsored AustCham Australia China Business Awards; the ACBAs. AustCham Shanghai is hosting this year’s ACBAs and the planning is well underway. For those companies that have achieved success over the past year, this is the time to nominate for one of the categories. Every year has produced an exciting crop of winners and AustCham Shanghai is looking forward to showcasing the latest success stories. Companies from across Greater China should nominate through their local AustCham. ü

14 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 15

For more information about AustCham Shanghai visit: www.austchamshanghai.com

Shanghai – a place to do business.

Tourism and leisure account for a significant portion of Australia’s economy, and the sector is growing rapidly in Australia as it is in Hong Kong and Macau. Some of our members have significant investments in the tourism and leisure sector in Hong Kong and Macau and their activities connect Hong Kong and Macau to Australia in interesting ways.

Australia’s tourism offerings are vast and varied, from adventures in the outback, to surf safaris, to cultural tours in cities that take in major events and visits to landmark sites, and many other options too. Hong Kong and Macau may not have Australia’s outback or its beaches, but there is a vibrant and very sizeable gaming and events industry in Macau, and a mix of world-class shopping, cultural, and culinary experiences to be had in Hong Kong. It is an interesting mix and each location attracts huge numbers of tourists for very different reasons.

One of the benefits of living and working in Hong Kong, or in Macau, is that a wide range of attractions is within reach for many, and even long-weekends can be taken in interesting locations that are a short distance from home base.

Supporting the growth in tourism and in leisure travel is a corresponding boom in infrastructure spending on airports, hotels, entertainment complexes, road and rail networks, and so on. Beyond the obvious travel

benefits that our members share with others, this is good news for many AustCham Hong Kong & Macau members who benefit directly through expanded employment, investment, and business opportunities, or as beneficiaries of the ripple effect that is created by the increased spend by tourists.

The opportunity to capitalise on this is not lost on the Australian Government and recent announcements outline plans that the government has to grow

investment in tourism and related industries. This will be supported by the “There’s nothing like Australia” promotional campaign – one that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of proud Australians everywhere.

Importantly, tourism and leisure activities help establish the people-to-people ties that the Australian Government is so keen to see develop in Asia. Those ties will bring about closer business and trade relationships between Australia and Greater China into the future and they will help Australia to compete more effectively and to benchmark itself against neighbouring nations so as to ensure that Australia remains vital and relevant in all important areas of development.

Australia is the lucky country. It must remain a smart country too. People-to-people ties developed through tourism and leisure and through policy initiatives such as the “New Colombo Plan” which aims to send Australians to study and work in Asia, and which is actively supported by AustCham Hong Kong & Macau, are important in ensuring that Australia continues to be seen as a nation that is friendly and open to doing business.

Chamber news

AustCham Hong Kong & Macau has welcomed Dean White as the Chamber’s new

Chief Executive. Dean commenced in the role in late January 2014, taking over from Andrew Quinlan who had served as Interim Chief Executive since AustCham’s former Chief Executive Kirsty Boazman left the Chamber in November 2013 to become Chief of Staff to The Hon. Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry, Australia.

Dean has an extensive background in business development, event management, hospitality, and recruitment having previously worked with global companies including Hyatt International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Manpower Group.

Dean has a strong connection with the Australian community in Hong Kong. He is a former president of the Australian Association and was previously on the board of governors of the Australian International School Hong Kong.

The Board is very pleased to have appointed someone of Dean’s calibre to lead the Chamber’s executive team. He brings a strong set of advocacy, team building, planning, and management skills to the role. Dean will continue to build on the great work done by Kirsty Boazman, and more recently by Andrew Quinlan, while also working with the Board on new strategies to lead the Chamber in new directions.

AustCham Hong Kong & Macau has grown significantly during the past few years and our members are making fantastic contributions to the development of Hong Kong and Macau, and to the development of the region more broadly. Dean joins the Chamber at an exciting time. ü

Hong Kong’s famous Symphony of Lights nightly harbour light show is produced by Australian firm Laservision.

TOURISM AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES Australia has much to gain from levering off Hong Kong and Macau’s reputations as tourism hot spots, writes AustCham Hong Kong and Macau Chairman Richard Petty.

For more information about AustCham Hong Kong and Macau, visit: www.austcham.com.hk or contact Richard Petty at: [email protected]


n BEYOND SHANGHAI BEYOND SHANGHAI n


One of my favourite trips last year was the short one day visit to Hangzhou, an up and coming industry powerhouse hub in China and often known for its beauty and charms. Located in southeast China in Zhejiang province, with a population of around 8.8million, Hangzhou is the provincial capital and as such, an important hub for economics, politics and culture.

Hangzhou is a diverse and scenic city. By day, one can appreciate its diversity, from tourists and locals strolling and exercising around the iconic West Lake to the hustle and bustle of the economic and technology development zones. Hangzhou’s reputation and place in its country is illustrated by a very well-known Chinese saying, “上有天堂，下有苏杭” meaning “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below” or, in other words, that Hangzhou (and the nearby city Suzhou) are described as “heaven on earth”.

Hangzhou is a one-hour train ride southwest from Shanghai and its location positions it as an important core city in the Yangtze River Delta. In fact, Hangzhou is home to the largest number of China’s top private enterprises including Alibaba Group (the e-commerce giant which owns C2C site, Taobao.com; B2B site, Alibaba.com, B2C site, Tmall.com). Hangzhou has also seen fast growth in other new industries including IT, heavy equipment, automotive, electrical appliances, electronics, chemicals, telecommunication and medicine. Interestingly, over 90 percent of Hangzhou’s GDP is made up of private enterprise.

China’s wealthiest man, Zong Qinghou is Chairman of the food and beverage conglomerate, Hangzhou Wahaha Group whose headquarters are also based in Hangzhou. Wahaha plans on building 100 malls around China in the next three to five years and is considering raising funds through an IPO. Wahaha manufactures a variety of products from bottled water to baby formula and in 2012 it generated $10.3 billion in revenue. It currently has only one shopping centre, the Waow Plaza, based in Hangzhou, which sells high-end products ranging from European furniture to children’s wear, to jewellery.

In 2012 Hangzhou was ranked the “second best city” in the Forbes list for “starting a business in Mainland China,” after Shanghai. In fact, over 5000 SMEs emerge on average in Hangzhou alone every year. Hangzhou has an abundant pool of private capital, a high quality labour force, competitive business costs and provides a favourable climate for business start-ups.

Hangzhou aspires to become the financial services hub of the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta. There are four main drivers that are contributing the fast growth

and success of the financial services industry in Hangzhou: strong retail demand, favourable policies, growing corporate demand and its innovative environment. In 2011, the added value of Hangzhou’s financial services industry reached RMB73.2billion (an increase of 20.9 percent from the previous year), which accounted for over 10 percent of Hangzhou’s GDP. Located in one of the wealthiest provinces, Zhejiang province, combined with the city’s strong savings culture, allows for an abundant supply of capital in the city, Hangzhou had over RMB1,839.7billion in savings accounts at the end of 2011.

Also, Hangzhou is ranked third nationally for the number of high net worth individuals with net worth over RMB10million.

The banking industry in Hangzhou saw 53 institutions achieve profits of RMB 40.2billion in 2011 with a non-loan performing ratio of only 0.8 percent, one of the best in China. The insurance industry achieved profits of RMB21.1 billion in 2011 and is made up of 63 institutions and is the second pillar of Hangzhou’s financial services industry along with banking. The number of private equity and venture capital firms in

Hangzhou increased by 36 percent to 403 in 2011 ranking it fourth nationally in terms of numbers. Hangzhou is a popular destination for foreign banks and foreign insurance companies with 9 and 11 present in the city in 2011.

Global companies that have strategic investments in Hangzhou include IDG Capital, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Allianz and DBS Bank.

In 2005, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Bank of Hangzhou (formerly Hangzhou City Commercial Bank (HZCCB)), which involved CBA purchasing 19.9 percent of the shareholding in HZCCB for approximately A$100 Million, with Board representation. The partnership involves a structured capability transfer program whereby CBA will assist HZCCB in key areas in order to improve its competitiveness and profitability. HZCCB is ranked by assets in the top five city commercial banks in China.

HANGZHOU ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AREA

In 1993, the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Area (aka HEDA) was established and is one of four

Economic and Technological Development zones within the city. It now has a population of over 400,000, covers an area of approximately 105km² and its industrial output value reached over RMB130billion (US$20.79bn) in 2010. The four dominant industries based in the area are IT, biomedicine, equipment manufacturing and food and beverages and the area ranks in the top ten development zones nationally. HEDA has comparatively relaxed regulations, offers investment and R&D incentives, and is a large and significant infrastructure development.

Whilst Shanghai outstrips Hangzhou by miles in terms of attracting foreign investment, it may in future draw the limelight as a place for foreign companies to do businesses and establish their China base. Currently over 33 multinational corporations among the Fortune 500 have invested in enterprises in HEDA. In addition, many iconic transnationals have also established production lines in Hangzhou, including Siemens, LG, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Toshiba.

With the support of the state government, Hangzhou has developed a strong reputation as an international manufacturing base and ecological centre and has led the way in advanced technological development and global research & development in emerging

modern industries such as energy, medicine, materials, logistics, IT and financial services.

As a fast growing second tier city in the Yangtze River Delta region, and only a short one-hour train ride from Shanghai, Hangzhou is becoming an important strategic location for foreign companies looking to establish operations in eastern China. This is only highlighted by the extraordinary growth of two of China’s best-known success stories, Alibaba and Wahaha, and ensures a steady growth of business visitors and tourists.

Australian business leaders, entrepreneurs and financial services professionals should add a visit to Hangzhou on their next trip to Shanghai. ü

*BRIC Expert, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Thought Leader, David Thomas is well known in the Asia Pacific region for his experience, credibility and passion for identifying, building and facilitating business and investment relationships between developed and emerging countries. He writes a regular blog on opportunities in China, Brazil, Russia and India. To read more about David and Think Global, visit: http://bricandchina.com/

HEAVEN ON EARTHLooking beyond the traditional tier one Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing opens up a new world of opportunities for Australian business, writes David Thomas, following a visit to Hangzhou.

Australian firm HASSELL designed Chinese tech giant Alibaba’s Hangzhou headquarters – setting a new benchmark for the modern workplace in China. (HASSELL / Peter Bennetts)


n ASIALINK


The PwC Melbourne Institute Asialink Index measures Australia’s engagement with China and other Asian economies across seven key indicators: trade, investment, research and business development, education, tourism, migration and humanitarian assistance. It provides the only long-term and multi-layered understanding of our dynamic relationships in the region, going beyond simple trade and investment statistics.

The 2013 Index was launched at the Asialink Chairman’s Dinner in Melbourne in December. It shows that over the decade to 2012, Australia’s overall engagement with China increased by more than 150 percent. In 2012 there were increases in all Index indicators except investment. Tourism, migration and research engagement recorded particularly encouraging growth.

China is now Australia’s largest single trading partner, accounting for 20.3 percent of Australia’s total trade in goods and services in 2012 (up from just 13.2 percent four years earlier) and 26.3 percent of total exports. The key driver of Australia’s greater engagement with China has been trade in energy and resources, but service sector exports are becoming increasingly important, in particular education and tourism services.

China is the largest source of overseas students studying in Australia, with the number of incoming Chinese students growing by 3.2 percent in 2012 to 152,582. Tourism between Australia and China has also escalated since the early 2000s to around 675,000 person movements in 2012. The number of tourists coming from China to Australia rose by 24.4 percent in 2012, with increasing prosperity in China facilitating greater travel abroad, while tourists travelling from Australia to China grew by a much more modest 3.5 percent.

However Australian Bureau of Statistics data for November 2013 show a dramatic fall in Chinese visitors to Australia, down 9.4 percent compared with November 2012. Whether this is a trend will become clear by the 2014 Index.

Following a significant upwards spike in 2011, Australia’s outbound investment engagement with China fell sharply by 40.2 percent in 2012. Due to the multi-year data collected and presented in the Index, we can understand that the shifts reflect the dramatic nature of investment engagement, a component known for its volatility. However, the strength of the Australian dollar, as well as concerns about foreign investment, did not stop an increase in inward Chinese investment in 2012. The stock of Chinese investment in Australia at the end of 2012 is estimated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at just under $23 billion – 73 percent of which was direct investment.

China’s significant economic growth is expected to continue, securing its position as the world’s second-biggest economy after the United States, and ahead of Japan. Australia’s economic engagement with this growing China has the potential to be further enhanced by the establishment of an Australia-China Free Trade Agreement.

An FTA between Australia and China would have enormous benefits for two-way trade and investment, and the new Coalition Government in Australia has made concluding the agreement a priority and set an ambitious 12-month deadline.

A discussion on the potential benefits of FTAs is featured in the Viewpoints component of the 2013 Index. Leading Australian business people, academics and trade officials offer their expert insights on the significance of FTAs and their influence on various industries.

Mike Smith, Chief Executive Officer of ANZ Banking Group, says the extent of benefits from an Australia-China FTA would depend on the type of FTA that is agreed – the more comprehensive the FTA, the more benefits it will bring to both countries.

“It is hard to actually describe the opportunity that access to a market like China will give. Anybody who is doing business in the region is going to benefit from this. The prize is enormous,” Mr Smith says in the

Viewpoints section.A major ANZ research project on what

the Asian Century means for the development of financial markets in the region says its prosperity will be led by seven economies: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. The ANZ research says that by 2050 these seven economies will account for 75 percent of Asia’s population and 90 percent of its gross domestic product, equating to 50 percent of global GDP and 53 percent of the world’s middle class.

Mr Smith told the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong in January that “to support this growth the depth of Asia’s capital markets need to converge with developed economy norms”. But he said that “for such deepening of capital markets to occur there will have to be a significant step away from the government control of bank-dominated systems to allow capital markets (primarily equity and debt) to flourish.”

The PwC Melbourne Institute Asialink Index continues to track trends in our engagement with China and the rest of the region, providing a dynamic record and helping Australia to build on our interactions with Asia. It is an increasingly important tool for Australian businesses, policymakers and academics to better understand the pace and complexity of Australia’s engagement not only with China but also the other countries of Asia. ü

To read the full Index, visit www.asialinkindex.com.au

*Peter Kerr is Asialink’s Executive Director, NSW.

INDEX TRACKS DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINA AND ASIANew research on what the Asian Century means for the development of Asian financial markets underscores the importance of closely tracking Australia’s relationships with the countries of Asia, writes Peter Kerr.


COLUMN FROM THE HONG KONG AUSTRALIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION n

There are many benefits to being a member of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association.

For Pitcher Partners, a South Australian member since 2012, winning the Success Story Award at the 2013 Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide Awards, has been a most welcomed and unexpected one. Past Australian winners of this high-calibre award include ABC Tissue (which holds 40 percent of the Australian tissue market) and Emperor’s Garden (one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Sydney).

Pitcher Partners is an accounting and business advisory firm with a strong reputation for providing personal service and quality advice. The firm has been working closely with Australian and Chinese companies to make the process of collaboration and business expansion into China smoother and easier.

Principal, Mr Andrew Faulkner said it had been a big moment for the firm to win the award. “It’s a big moment for us and we are happy to support HKABA-SA,” said Mr Faulkner.

“Chinese firms looking to expand operations globally also present significant opportunities for collaboration with Australian businesses, often resulting in mutually beneficial alliances.”

Pitcher Partners has nine principals and more than 65 staff providing the full suite of accounting, audit and advisory services to a diverse range of clients and a broad range of industries.

“This means we are large enough to have technical depth and breadth and yet our flat structure allows us to maintain close and personal

involvement with clients and each other.”“This is our first award from the Federation

of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide Awards 2013 and we are very delighted with it.”

Pitcher Partners Adelaide also won the Export of Goods/Services Award at the annual HKABA-SA Business Wards in 2013.

In addition, HKABA-SA also won the Outstanding Membership Award – Percentage Increase Achiever and Best Initiative Award.

Other notable awards went to HKABA-WA, which also won an Outstanding Membership Award – a stunning achievement for the HKABA’s two smaller Australian chapters.

Meanwhile, 2013 saw many achievements throughout Australia.

The National Office held its second National Business Awards, together with Cathay Pacific in May, with The Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips presenting the keynote speech and The Hon Brendan O’Connor, Minister of Immigration attending as a special guest.

The Queensland Chapter also hosted its second Business Awards with the attendance of Mr Robert Cavallucci, MP, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

In New South Wales, the Business Awards dinner was graced by Mr Li Huaxin, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to Sydney, Mr Steve Barclay, Mr David Lawson and Mr Ashley Spencer, Vice President of Operations, Hilton Australasia.

Victoria’s Business Awards dinner had a record attendance of 350 guests with special guest, the Hon. Gordon Rich-Phillips.

The South Australia Chapter Business Awards also had a record attendance of 320 guests. Former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Lieutenant Governor of South Australia and Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, Hieu Van Le were honoured guests.

In Western Australia, the Food & Wine Appreciation event was celebrated with 12 Australian wineries showcasing their fine wines.

Over 100 social and business networking events were held throughout Australia to help celebrate and promote Hong Kong as an economic hub and gateway to China. ü

HKABA-SA receiving their award.

HKABA: A VERY SUCCESSFUL 2013There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Australia Hong Kong Business Association.

Upcoming Events:

National Office 27 Feb Boardroom Lunch 3 Oct AGM TBA 3rd National Business Awards Dec Hong Kong Forum Dec World SME Expo

NSW 10 Feb Chinese New Year Cocktail

Reception3 Oct Business Awards Dinner TBA Business Awards Dinner TBA Annual General Meeting Dec Hong Kong Forum Dec World SME Expo

VIC 18 Feb Chinese New Year Cocktail

ReceptionTBA Business Awards Dinner TBA Annual General Meeting Dec Hong Kong Forum Dec World SME Expo

SA 19 Feb Chinese New Year Cocktail


QLD 5 Feb Chinese New Year Cocktail

ReceptionTBA Business Awards Dinner TBA Annual General Meeting Dec Hong Kong Forum

Dec World SME Expo

WA 20 Feb Chinese New Year Cocktail


To join as a member of the Association, or for further information on any events, contact [email protected] or (02) 9267 3158


n MAINLAND MOMENTS MAINLAND MOMENTS n


ENTERPRISING YOUNG AUSTRALIANS MAKE CHINA HOMEChina is opening up a world of opportunities for young Australian entrepreneurs, writes Karen Tye from Shanghai.

Confucius said: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

For Andrew Collins, CEO of Mailman Group which is headquartered in Shanghai, the saying rings true. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur my whole life, and I’ve only ever known life this way,” he says passionately.

At just 34, Collins’ company, which develops social media and technology strategies for the China market, has three subsidiary companies and hires over 30 people.

As for Kimberly Ashton, co-founder of Shanghai’s first natural foods store Sprout, her foray into small business grew organically from her background and passion in event management and her interest in health and wellness.

“I wasn’t an entrepreneur until recently but I think that many people who’ve been in Shanghai or China for a long time tend to get a little entrepreneurial. It’s the right environment to do new things and launch

concepts,” she says. Then there’s Alexandra Chu, founding

partner of The Anken Group, a boutique real estate development company that uses sustainable practices to design and build commercial spaces for the Shanghai market. She primarily came to Shanghai for a bit of adventure and to learn Mandarin and had smaller ventures and projects before Anken, which took top honours in the Sustainable Development and People’s Choice categories in the 2010 Westpac AustCham Australia China Business Awards.

“We were seriously up against some heavy hitters like BlueScope Steel – which made it all the more surprising and rewarding,” Chu adds.

Collins, Ashton and Chu are among the growing number of young, talented and successful Aussies who are proof that the world really can be one’s oyster in Shanghai, the pearl of the Orient.

All three individuals cite the advantageous marketplace as the catalyst for them to start up their own business.

“China has all the opportunities that Australia doesn’t have, although turning those opportunities into something tangible is much easier in Australia,” Collins admits.

“For me, the health and wellness field in China presents huge demand and supply and makes it an exciting opportunity and adventure to embark on,” Ashton, who is in her early 30s, says. “Whilst our customers are still 70 percent to 80 percent expats, the number of health conscious Chinese consumers and curious ones is growing.”

But where there are opportunities, there are also challenges to overcome.

While funding is a common issue with small businesses, Ashton says that this obstacle has a China-specific angle to it for her business.

“A Shanghainese business partner and I have been self-funding the business and it is now time as a small business to scale up. Finding investors in China or in Asia with similar passions for health, nutrition and whole foods is slightly more challenging though as we are market leaders/pioneers in what we are doing and being first you do it

the hard way – educating consumers about food, lifestyle, health and things that they don’t know they need nor want.”

The challenge that comes to mind for Collins is people management. “This was difficult for me initially, managing diversity and overcoming the language barrier. I’ve always tried to be as patient as possible and to accept that there are differences and that we should navigate around these, not try to change them completely or mould people or ideas into something else,” he says.

“You have to learn enough of the language so as to develop respect – ignorant foreigners do not make it too far in this country. Honestly though, I’m neither a cultural guru nor do I believe that if I spoke fluent Mandarin, it would have added to the success of my business,” says Collins, whose clients have included Manchester United and Liverpool football clubs, Citibank and GMAT.

Chu, who was born and bred in Australia and studied architecture at Melbourne University, did not speak any Mandarin when she first set foot in Shanghai. She says that she immersed herself in a very local environment early on to gain an understanding of Chinese culture, language and the market, which was an enormous learning curve.

“I’ve been in Shanghai since 2000 but

you’ll have to give me another 10 years before I can read or write,” she laughs.

Ashton, however, is of the view that bilingualism plays an important role in a successful business in China. She studied Mandarin in Hangzhou as part of her University of Technology Sydney international studies degree and is fluent in oral and written Mandarin.

“Both my language and culture studies and the exchange program have been keys to my success in China. Immersion in the language and understanding the business culture is important in managing staff, dealing with customers, suppliers, partners, media, the list goes on. Moreover, I think these days, those who come to Shanghai looking for work are required to have a base level of Chinese, I for example won’t hire anyone (kitchen staff and junior staff excluded) if they aren’t bilingual – this goes for both Chinese employees and expat employees,” she says.

“Specifically, in what I’m doing with food education, corporate events, public talks and media appearances, being bilingual, understanding Chinese concerns for wellness, and being able to make jokes in Chinese are vital to my success and building on the brand and what we are able to deliver,” Ashton says.

Aside from the language, Ashton views

partnership as another important aspect in a successful business in China. “I have been very lucky with my business partner. She was the third person I met in Shanghai. I know many entrepreneurs can face obstacles with set up, administration and getting things done in China sometimes,” she says.

Ashton says finding a great number two is imperative.

“In China, I couldn’t have made my company prosper without locally grown talent I could trust.”

Collins agrees. “Patience is also important as I think it

takes at least three years to develop credibility within the industry,” he says.

“My advice for budding entrepreneurs is to develop relationships big or small and to build a network with trust and integrity. Moreover, people tend to benchmark their expectations to their previous job back home, such as pay, which may ultimately hold one back,” Collins says.

“Sometimes not knowing everything works. If I had known back then what I know now, maybe I would not have jumped into this market – however, it’s been an extremely rewarding and memorable experience.” ü

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur my whole life, and I’ve only ever known life this way,” says Shanghai-based young Australian Andrew Collins.

Alexandra Chu arrived in China to study Mandarin but went on to form The Anken Group, a boutique real estate development company that uses sustainable practices to design and build commercial spaces for the Shanghai market.

A study trip to Hangzhou as part of a UTS International Studies degree was the starting point for a China-based career for young Sydney entrepreneur, Kimberly Ashton.

Western Academy of Beijing+86 10 5986 5588

www.wab.edu

- Nelson Mandela1918 - 2013


n COMMENT


A YEAR OF CONFIDENCE AND ENERGYRowan Callick looks at what is in store for the Australia-China relationship in the year ahead.

Clint Eastwood, Shinzo Abe, Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Ang Lee, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Jackie Chan, Sean Connery and Hong Kong’s chief executive C Y Leung are all people born in horse years.

Hard to discern what they have in common, although most “experts” claim that Years of the Horse – such as we have just entered, on January 31 – are marked by self-confidence and energy.

This is certainly lining up as a year in which those qualities are to the fore in the political leaderships in both China and Australia. But it also makes for a degree of unpredictability, which means that businesspeople in both countries need to be especially attentive and responsive to what’s happening in Beijing and Canberra.

President Xi Jinping has become the most powerful leader of China since Deng Xiaoping – with core party/government committees answering to him on both the economy and on security, ensuring he is at the apex of all decision-making, certainly not a ceremonial leader.

The previous committee-man domination of Chinese decision making may have militated against much-needed reforms, but was more predictable.

On the Western New Year’s eve, Xi and his Politburo Standing Committee colleagues attended a performance of a Peking Opera, produced by the party’s favourite in-house artistic director Zhang Yimou.

At the end of a year during which Xi’s arch-rival Bo Xilai was satisfactorily sentenced to life imprisonment, and former security chief Zhou Yongkang, also associated with a different political camp from Xi, started to come under formal investigation, the title of the ancient opera that the leaders watched, was indicative.

It dealt with the demise of rivals to an ancient ruler, and was called: “All the people pledge allegiance to the Emperor.”

Xi’s economic and social reform program, as outlined following the recent Third Plenum of the party’s central committee, is promising but challenging.

He needs to deal primarily with the state’s

massive debt overhang, while at the same time revolutionising the sclerotic finance sector. More decisions will now be made centrally.

No one should underestimate Xi from now on. He is a force who must be reckoned with, one with whom China will climb to further achievements – or fail in the attempt.

In Australia, Tony Abbott has made a steady start as prime minister, indicating that he intends to stay in charge for some time to come – with the model in front of him, of his mentor John Howard, who was in power for 11 years. He commands massive support within his own ranks.

He has already made a couple of bold moves, including accepting that the car industry will not – perhaps should not – survive in Australia unless vast more taxes are poured into it, leaving in the future only Toyota assembling cars locally. His Treasurer Joe Hockey has also halted an American takeover of GrainCorp by Archer Daniel Midland, causing understandable anxiety that foreign investment will become much harder. However, since then several large Chinese investments have been approved.

Abbott has been criticised for angering China. But this early perception derives from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop calling in new ambassador Ma Zhaoxu, to explain Australia’s anxiety about the impact on the increasingly fragile security climate of East Asia, of the manner in which it declared an Air Defence Identification Zone. And while Beijing is obviously not happy about this, most of China’s other neighbours also responded negatively, and at a large security conference I attended at this time in Beijing, Australia’s own minor role was glossed over – including by senior Chinese diplomats and military leaders.

Bishop says her focus will be on economic diplomacy, and Abbott’s challenge to complete free trade agreements with Australia’s three top export partners – all in north Asia – will require intense application in this area.

A deal with South Korea was completed just before Christmas, Japan looks likely to come next, and then follows the biggest

challenge: a comprehensive FTA with China.

Bishop told the third Australia-China Forum that “our country has been built on foreign investment... and we appreciate and welcome investment from China.”

She said: “I have absolutely no doubt that the very best days of the Australia-China relationship lie ahead of us.”

To achieve this, will require a preparedness to see the big picture, mutual respect, and especially in this Horse Year, energy and commitment, of which concluding an FTA will be the crucial test.

In some respects, the relationship thus now needs to be re-made, as it enters its fifth decade, with new political realities on each side.

Neither country can afford to be left behind, as the world moves on.

A new Chinese invention illustrates this well. Passengers waiting at a platform, step into a compartment that awaits above the track. The train moves through the station without stopping, picking up the compartment as it does so. This lodges on the roof of the train. The passengers then walk down into the carriages below. They leave through a similar process. The train never stops.

This extraordinary idea will probably never be realised, but it is strongly suggestive of a world of change, that continues even if mighty China itself takes a pause to restructure its economy. America is becoming a net exporter of energy, Japan is rediscovering inflation and growth, south-east Asia is booming. It’s all happening.

Australia and China thus need to make a priority of what they can best do for their mutual benefit, and get on with it. They both have can-do leaders, who need early this year to get together and work on what they can do together. ü

*Rowan Callick is the Asia-Pacific editor of The Australian, and the author of the new book Party Time: Who Runs China And How.


COLUMN FROM THE AUSTRALIA CHINA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION n


New Year’s Greetings from the team at the ACAA! At the beginning of the new year it’s worth taking time to note a few of the ACAA’s achievements in 2013, as well as taking a look forward to what 2014, the Year of the Horse will bring.

The ACAA reached out to engage its 10,000th member in 2013, a remarkable achievement from an organisation formed in 2007. Ms. Xiao Chen, a Shanghai-based alumna from the University of New South Wales was the lucky number 10,000. We would like to thank all our alumni and supporters for their continued support, especially the 34 Australian University partners from across seven states and territories. We look forward to continuing to grow the number of alumni to make the ACAA the largest and best organised overseas alumni association operating in China.

In 2013, the ACAA organised, hosted and supported some 130+ events in over 10 cities. The highlight was once again the Australia China Alumni Awards, which is now into its fifth year. Over 250 alumni and friends attended the gala ceremony in Beijing on November where the University of Queensland’s Mark Hutchinson, CEO for Greater China and Mongolia GE was the keynote speaker and the University of Melbourne’s Zili Shao was the winner of the Australia China Alumni of the Year Award.

We were delighted once again in 2013 to be able to participate in, and include alumni representatives in events with a number of VIPs including:

• A reception with Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce

• Dinner with Prime Minister Julia Gillard

• A Victorian alumni reception with Victorian Premier Denis Napthine

• An ACT alumni reception with Chief Minister Katy Gallagher together with the Vice Chancellors of ANU and the University of Canberra

On top of this, we also ran an active program of events focused in Beijing and Shanghai, where our alumni network is strongest, but also in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Nanjing, Kunming, Chengdu, Suzhou, Melbourne and Sydney. These included social networking events such as ski trips, and a day trip to watch the Australian Men’s Basketball team play the Chinese national team. These complemented the series of professional events, including an alumni speaker series with AustCham Shanghai, a series of Young Professionals and Banking and Finance Drinks as well as Careers events in Shanghai and Beijing.

2013 concluded with Christmas parties in Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Chengdu in which an estimated total of 850+ alumni attended to celebrate Christmas “Aussie Style.”

Looking forward to 2014, an exciting development will be the increased activity in South China, led by our newest team member Ms. Iris Huang. Iris is a Guangzhou native and holds a Bachelor of Business & Management from Guangzhou University and a Master of Business (Marketing) from the University of Queensland. Iris will be working to grow the ACAA’s South China network and will focus on Guangzhou, with additional outreach into Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

There will be plenty more exciting plans for 2014 with the introduction of a new membership card with associated benefits. We also plan to trial a new online payment system for events and will keep up our efforts with social media in China by launching our WeChat corporate account early in 2014.

From all the ACAA team, we wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year “新年快乐” and look forward to seeing and hearing from you all in the Year of the Horse. ü

ACAA Gold Partners

ACAA Silver Partners

The Inaugural Alumni Uni Games.

Alumni reception with the Australian Governor General, Quentin Bryce.

REFLECTIONS ON A REMARKABLE YEAR

To learn more about the Australia China Alumni Association, visit us at: www.austchinaalumni.org

2013 was another big year for ACAA and 2014 looks to be even bigger.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop meets with young Australians studying and working in Beijing.


CONTRIBUTED EDITORIAL: SPACEFRAME: 30 YEARS IN CHINA n


n CONTRIBUTED EDITORIAL: SPACEFRAME: 30 YEARS IN CHINA

What does a banana-ripening factory in China have in common with a sub-zero car testing facility in Inner Mongolia? Both projects have relied on the design, construction and temperature-control expertise of China-based Australian firm Spaceframe.

This year, Spaceframe celebrates two significant milestones – a 30-year anniversary operating in China and a 10-year successful joint-venture partnership.

Spaceframe Buildings Managing Director Werner Raspotnik, who founded the company in Brisbane in 1972, is recognized throughout the industry for his delivery of new standards in commercial and industrial design construction in Australia. These standards have accompanied the business to China where it began with the construction of a seafood refrigeration plant in Dalian in 1984, to, over the years, transforming into a full-scale design and construction solutions entity.

Since then, Spaceframe has been engaged in more than 300 projects, offering a wide range of construction solutions beyond the F&B and pharmaceutical sectors, extending to the auto and mining and resources sectors and products covering a cross section of capabilities including services in project planning, pre-engineering, contracting, ventilation and refrigeration.

“Safety and sustainability are key points for us,“ says Spaceframe’s part owner and Managing Director, David Martin.

“Safety First” is our mantra and remains our number one priority and a key factor for why our reputation and client base has grown over the years, and why 50 percent of our business

comes from repeat clients,” says Mr Martin.Since completing that first refrigeration

depot in China in 1984, Spaceframe has successfully navigated ongoing challenges presented in China such as regulatory changes following China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation in 2001, the financial consequences of SARS in 2003 and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008.

Spaceframe has had offices in Shanghai and Beijing since 1995, and opened its office in the western gateway city of Changsha in 2001.

In 2008 Spaceframe celebrated the granting of a Class B Construction Qualification, allowing it to work with both local Chinese and foreign invested clients as a General Contractor – a milestone for any foreign contractor in China.

Winning the Business Excellence Award at the Australia China Business Awards in Beijing in 2009 was further recognition of Spaceframe’s successful long-term China strategy.

Spaceframe continues to invest strongly into new technology as well as expanding its design practice – allowing it greater control over the outcome of its projects in China.

“We believe that if we control the design, we can control the project,” says Spaceframe part owner and Director of Sales, Richard Wendt.

Part of that investment includes adopting BIM as the primary resource for creating three dimensional databases that are used both to design and deliver construction projects. One of the numerous benefits of this 3D modeling approach is having the ability to reduce

design conflicts, reduce changes during the construction process and as a result, save both construction time and increase quality. BIM is still regarded as cutting edge technology in China, and reinforces Spaceframe’s commitment to finding the most cost effective solutions to develop its business and to provide better service to their clients.

“We have a strong ethos here, and that is, ‘Do it once, and do it properly’,” says Richard Wendt.

Much of the business’s success is attributed to its hard working employees – one third of whom have worked for Spaceframe for more than five years, and one in six of whom have been with the company for more than a decade.

“Success is so much dependent on the people, the real people, who make things happen – and these are our Chinese employees,” says Mr Martin.

These long-standing staff include Christina Yang, Spaceframe’s Beijing Office Manager who has been with the company for 17 years.

Maggie Yang is another employee who has risen through the ranks, starting with Spaceframe in 2003 as a receptionist, and today heading up the businesses HR department.

“Spaceframe is very different from other companies – it is a big family and many staff have worked here for more than five years,” says Maggie Yang.

“When I joined the company in 2003 as a receptionist, the most important thing I learnt from my manager was not to look at a receptionist as a low and simple position, but as the window of the company, with every client and supplier having their first impression from the receptionist.”

Today, as HR manager, Ms Yang says she tells new staff that a company’s employees are its strongest attribute.

“Don’t worry about making mistakes, this is all experience. Don’t limit yourself to your current position, learn more and do more. There is opportunity for those who are prepared to work hard.”

Max Feng has been with the company for 12 years, beginning his career with the company as a junior site engineer. Today he is Spaceframe’s Sales Manager and Project Director, responsible for selling, delivering and managing some of Spaceframe’s biggest projects.

“I have had the luck to witness Spaceframe China growing up in a very solid and sustainable way which brings us continuing success with respect from both our clients and business partners,” says Mr Feng.

“As personnel, I do appreciate the opportunities the company has given me, to build up my career and also to feel proud that my hard work has made an important contribution to the company.”

Mr Martin says that with a range of clients across Chinese state-owned enterprises and foreign invested enterprises and clients in different countries, it is essential to have good staff who can understand their different needs.

“We need staff who are flexible, who can listen, understand and who can then deliver the project to high standards,” says Mr Martin.

Spaceframe’s China model works on partnering with local Chinese partners in a cooperative joint-venture investment relationship which in turn has helped the business bid for projects within the lucrative Chinese state owned enterprise sector. These have included projects for China’s biggest rail companies – China Southern Rail and the China Rail Construction Company. And in a coup for the company, it was recently appointed as a major supplier for China Southern Rail’s Malaysian rolling stock project.

Other clients include German refrigeration and air conditioning technology business Bitzer SE, Caterpillar, Boeing, East Balt Bakery – the

main supplier of McDonald’s buns, HAVI, cold chain logistics provider for McDonalds and American Fortune 500 global manufacturing and technology giant, Emerson.

Other key projects have included the design and construction of the main structure, building envelope and cold storage works for Novo Nordisk’s 50,000m² US$400 million insulin production plant in the Tianjin Economic Development Area – the world’s most modern insulin formulation and filling plant, and currently the design build of a 32,000 m² manufacturing facility for German multinational road construction equipment manufacturer and innovator, Wirtgen Group.

Recent projects also include the design and construction for Cargill chicken farms in Anhui (KFC’s main chicken meat supplier) and 150,000m² of pre-engineered structures for a dairy farm in Hebei province, to accommodate 10,000 dairy cows for New Zealand’s Fonterra.

“Operating in China you need patience but have the ability to react quickly and decisively,” says Mr Martin.

Spaceframe came to China in 1984, as an Australian company manufacturing and exporting pre-engineered buildings, but today exports from China back to Australia and to countries all over the world. The combined sales for general contracting, refrigeration and pre-engineered buildings, including exports in 2014 exceeded RMB 500 million.

“We have staying power, an impressive track record and a reputation in our industry for safety, reliability and sustainability as a business,” says David Martin. “Clients come to us because they trust our safety, our quality and our ability to deliver their projects to fully meet all their requirements – no excuses.” ü

COMPANY PROFILE: SPACEFRAME CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN CHINAAdapting and evolving to meet local and global market changes has been Australian construction firm Spaceframe’s key to 30-years of success operating on the ground in China.

“There is opportunity for those who are prepared to work hard.” – Maggie Yang, HR Manager, Spaceframe.

“I do appreciate the opportunities the company has given me, to build up my career and also to feel proud that my hard work has made an important contribution to the company.” – Max Feng, Spaceframe China, Sales Manager and Project Director.

Safety first at Spaceframe

David Martin, Managing Director, Spaceframe China.Richard Wendt, Director of Sales, Spaceframe China.


NICHE EXPECTATIONSArchitectural firms with niche expertise are having success in China as competi-tion heats up for architectural and design projects, writes Sophie Loras.

n AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS IN CHINA

When Australian architect Joburt Betadam first arrived in Shanghai from Melbourne in 2002, he came in on the premise of selling his niche expertise in green build and sustainable design to the Chinese. In 2006, environmental issues became a top priority of the Chinese government’s 11th Five Year plan, and regulation was introduced for all new buildings to meet minimum environmental standards. It seemed a boon for Australian design firms specialising in this area.

Mr Betadam had the support of the Victorian government’s Australian Urban Systems cluster (AUS) – an initiative set up to promote Victoria’s architectural expertise in the green/sustainability sector, and to grow urbanisation related exports in a more strategic manner – using its long-standing 35-year sister-state relationship with Jiangsu Province.

In China, Victorian firms across a range of sectors have been encouraged to work together in securing projects in Jiangsu through government-to-government introductions, trade missions and reciprocal delegations. And it has encompassed Australian firms offering services beyond architectural design and urban and master planning, such as engineering or water technologies, and soil remediation services. The premise is that if one firm in the group secures

a contract, the services of other members in the group could be recommended for activities in the same contract.

But while sustainability may have been the initial edge for Australian design firms entering

the Chinese market in the early to mid-2000s, today, their long term success in China very much depends on how well they can demonstrate previous success in China, the cultivation of long-term contacts as well as having an edge or niche capability that sets them apart from their Chinese and international competition.

“You had to come here to China with an angle,” says Mr Betadam. “That angle of sustainability is still being pushed, but it has seen its use by date – it has come, and gone.”

Mr Betadam says one of the big challenges for Australian architects coming to China today is how well they can establish and promote their brand in China. Being famous at home does not guarantee visibility in China, he says.

Competition for iconic developments in China is fierce – and securing one can be pure luck.

Chinese developers today are well travelled, they have a global perspective and they know what they want, he says.

“We are dealing with developers who have travelled around the world more than we have – they know what they want, they have looked at successful projects oversees and said, we want that too.”

Mr Betadam’s advice to incoming firms is to find out who the players in the sector are and “bring those developers to Australia and show them your projects there.”

“Demonstrate you have success in Australia. Demonstrate you have a presence on the ground in China and consider working with

existing companies.” Dom Tassone is the Director of the Victorian

government’s long-running AUS initiative, which this year celebrates 10 years of operation. As the architectural landscape in China has evolved, so too has the AUS – moving beyond China to help promote Australian design expertise globally

and growing to include Australian businesses beyond the architectural and design sphere to promote Victoria’s other key industries including its creative, education and training, F&B and health care industries. Today, the AUS includes a wide range of expertise from public art sculptors, environmental services to water specialists.

“Our foothold began in Jiangsu but has spread far beyond that,” says Mr Tassone.

The AUS’s biggest asset is being able to continue to leverage off Melbourne’s reputation as the world’s most liveable city for the third consecutive year. Firms in the AUS cluster are riding off the brand of not only Melbourne’s world liveability status but that of other Australian cities including Sydney and Adelaide.

“Our push is, let’s collaborate on making your city as sustainable and livable as ours,” says Mr Tassone.

“Urban systems is the fabric of how a city works – from the streets to the facilities. Liveable and sustainable cities attract creative and innovative people and in turn creative and innovative people attract high value industries – which is what the State of Victoria is about – a reputation for biotech, clean tech, creative design and the centre for major global sporting events such as the Australian Tennis Open, the Melbourne F1 Grand-Prix and the Melbourne Cup,” he says.

AUS has established connections with a number of big Chinese developers and state owned enterprises, including the Shanghai Construction Group – the developer behind the Shanghai World Financial Centre and the Shanghai Tower, which is poised to become China’s tallest skyscraper at 632 meters when it is completed in December 2014. “Because of these


AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS IN CHINA n


studio505’s Pheonix Valley in Wujin showing the project’s central valley and parts of its green roofs and facades.

studio505’s Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. External close up view of multi-bed, naturally ventilated, subsidised ward tower with external planter gardens. (Courtesy: studio505 in collaboration with CPG, Singapore and HOK, USA)

studio505’s Pheonix Valley in Wujin - exterior of the Youth Palace.

Suning Plaza in Xuzhou. (The Buchan Group)

studio5051/395 Little Lonsdale StMelbourne VIC 3000

t + 61 3 9670 2322e [email protected]

studio505 is an architectural design studio located in Melbourne, but working on international projects all over the world. We are committed to delivering exemplary innovation, elegant integration and sophisticated responses within the complex maelstrom of the design world.

studio505 has developed a passionate and enthusiastic approach to the exploration and communication of its architectural ideology.

Architecture is based on the principle of collaboration. Clients, Designers and Builders have to engage in a collaborative process to achieve built projects of remarkable quality. At studio505 we value this collaboration process above anything else.

We seek to inform, learn from and test our clients and ourselves by rigorously investigating the possibilities and outcomes inherent in the practice of design for every project.

In 2013 studio505 completed two significant large scale cultural projects in Wujin, People’s Republic of China: Phoenix Valley - Grand Theatre & Youth Palace and the Wujin Lotus Conference Centre, an extension to the existing ‘underground’ Planning Hall of the local Wujin Planning Department Authorities and redesign of the surrounding 4 hectare Peoples Park

Our in-depth exposure and engagement with local cultures in China and South East Asia has led to new business connections with Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian clients in Australia who now seek out our unique knowledge, expertise and design enthusiasm for their inbound investment projects and developments in the Australian Market.

Wujin Lotus Conference Centre

Phoenix Valley — Grand Theatre and Youth Palace

studio505


types of connections, Victorian firms have a great chance to be engaged in these types of projects because they are not cold calling and have a leg in through the AUS in China.”

Mr Tassone says the environment in China is as competitive as ever, with Chinese architects now being educated in Australia.

“You look at China and after you have seen the Bund and Pudong developments in Shanghai and Beijing post the Olympics, you do wonder, what do we have to offer China?”

For AUS in China, the emphasis is “always talk collaboration,” says Mr Tassone. “Friends first – business second.”

Mr Tassone encourages businesses going into China to take small steps and use government as a resource to identify or build business in China.

“China is tough, but entry structured properly with government support, and speaking to people already on the ground there, you can actually be quite successful,” says Mr Tassone. “It is tough, but the rewards can be significant.”

Victorian firm studio505 – best known in Melbourne for its work on the Pixel building – won its first Chinese contract in Jiangsu province in 2005 as the façade architect for the Suzhou Science and Cultural Arts Centre.

Other projects in China, include, most

notably, Pheonix Valley – an ornately constructed building housing Wujin’s 1000-seat Grand Theatre, four cinemas, sports and dance halls, art galleries and an early childhood education centre –and the iconic Wujin Lotus Exhibition Centre. Both projects were completed in 2013.

The brief for the Wujin Lotus was to design something “beautiful” resulting in studio505’s sculptural and ethereal lotus flower centre-piece in its three stages of bloom. The contract also included the upgrade of the lake and park. Entrance to the centre is from beneath the lake, opening into a cathedral like space with an internal mosaic finish and the studio505-designed seven metre-long chandelier.

The project was unusual in China, with the planning minister making regular onsite visits to ensure attention to detail.

Pheonix Valley – which was secured from direct links through the Victorian government’s AUS cluster – was recently awarded the China 3 Star Rating (China’s highest rating in sustainability) and the 2013 LuBan prize for construction excellence.

“These relationships are made so much more secure through government,” says studio505 director, Dylan Brady .

He says competition in China is changing, but having a niche and being prepared to evolve with the market bodes well for long-term success.

“It is changing but so are we,” says Mr Brady. “The market in China is diversifying a lot

faster than even the market is ready for. There is a big emphasis on brands and that applies to architecture as well.

And while we don’t have the brand yet, we are in a position where we are now at a level above those who haven’t yet secured a project in China.”

Part of that evolution includes a move into health care.

studio505 is currently the design consultant on a radical new air recycling system for a 1000-bed hospital in Singapore – its first contract in South East Asia.

The project looks at ways to improve ward layout to enhance the experience for patients and staff. By reconfiguring beds in six-bed and 12-bed wards, studio505 has improved natural ventilation by 200 percent. Every patient will have their own window and a view to a garden and natural fresh air. The design takes into consideration Singapore’s hot and humid weather where only air movement can create natural cooling effects.

“We need an edge – we had never done hospitals before but we saw that a 12-bed ward in Singapore had no air conditioning. By rotating all the beds everyone could have a view and improved ventilation,” says Mr Brady.

“We are very interested now in how we can help hospitals in China,” he says.

“We are ultimately, as architects, into designing buildings which engage in the world. We are most ultimately interested in building cities which encourage participation.”

Mr Brady says competition in China has changed. He says it has become much harder to get invited onto the lists and there is more maturity on the part of the clients.

“Our real edge is personal attention and enthusiasm. And enthusiasm lights fires in other people.”

Mr Betadam, during his 11 years in China has also noticed the change in competition. Partly from an influx of European architects arriving in China post the global financial crisis and also from China’s local design institutes.

“The relationship between foreign firms and local design institutes hasn’t changed – but the way the LDIs are working has,” says Mr Betadam.

“Local design institutes in China are now looking into more partnerships with foreign firms – such as working together from the start of the project through to the end, rather than just at the end of the design process to get the compliancy approval.”

He says Chinese design institutes are now looking at ways to enhance their capabilities by collaborating more with their foreign partners or by offering lower fees in some cases in exchange for the opportunity to learn more or aligning themselves into niche sectors.

Another area creating niche opportunities for foreign firms is in BIM technology, which allows for the three dimensional modeling of the design process incorporating everyone from engineers to structural personal having access to the same BIM model.

The technology is expensive and requires skilled people to operate it.

“Chinese developers want this technology and they can’t actually get it. It is the new environment and that’s an edge we have,” says Mr Betadam.

Mr Betadam says that instead of seeing each other as competition, Australian firms should be working closer with each other to gain more clout.

“When you are a small player in the world of developers, you are a nobody,” says Mr Betadam. “Hope is not a strategy.”

He also stresses the importance of having a presence on the ground in China.

“There are opportunities here in China people just don’t see. Living here you have an appreciation that things are not stagnant, whereas fly in-fly outs only have a snapshot of this,” he says.

28 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

Architect and urban planning and design members of the Vic-torian government’s China Super Trade Mission in Septem-ber were given access to the construction site of the 632-metre Shanghai Tower, which dwarfs the city’s 492-metre Shanghai World Financial Centre (pictured). The visit was made possible through the special relationship between the AUS and Shanghai Construction Group.

PROFILE: SPACEFRAME n



PROFILE: JOBURT BETADAM

HEAD OF BUSINESS, CHINA THE BUCHAN GROUP

Joburt Betadam is no stranger to doing business in China. Originally from Melbourne, the Australian architect first visited China in 2002, moving to Shanghai full time with his family five years later.

In that time, Mr Betadam has undergone all the usual rites of passage to doing business in China, setting up two wholly-owned foreign enterprises from his base in Shanghai and working on a wide range of projects from masterplans to residential projects, schools, office towers and office fit outs, and working with a cross-section of China’s building sector with clients in government, the private sector, and developers.

He had first arrived in China to capitalise on his niche architectural expertise in sustainability. But at that time, he says, “there was an interest in sustainable design, but not a desire.”

He has noticed over time, that while the sustainability edge may have diminished, developers in China are placing a higher emphasis on quality and brand.

Recently Mr Betadam joined Australian architecture, master planning and interiors firm, The Buchan Group as the Head of Business for China.

The firm’s international reputation for designing iconic malls including Westfield Stratford City in London (one of Europe’s biggest retail malls) and Chadstone, Eastland and Highpoint shopping centres in Melbourne, has led to huge success in China working with developers to design malls and retail plazas, in addition to advising developers in ways to increase foot traffic and develop the malls into entities beyond retail.

Mr Betadam says Chinese developers today have travelled widely and know exactly what they want.

“We are finding a lot of developers coming to us with maybe two or three existing old malls and telling us they are not working and can we help,” he says.

“So it is not just about design, they are selecting us to add value to their property in order to achieve a higher yield. So the expectation is not just design – but a solution.”

There are 3,500 malls in China. Mr Betadam says the successful ones factor in ‘the total experience’ – including entertainment, food, ice rinks, cinemas, access to good public transport hubs, and often with a hotel and office tower attached.

“The more of those integrated venues, the better for the developers. Mixed use with high-rise are the hottest developments at the moment, and then with a subway line and a hotel to support the mall,” he says.

Mr Betadam says the big opportunities down the track in China for Australian design firms will be in the areas of aged care and health as China prepares for its already burgeoning ageing population.

“Connections are more important than ever – the Chinese today have so many more choices, so unless you are offering something really niche, they won’t come to you.”

PROFILE: PING CHEN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUGE ARCHITECTURE OFFICE, SHANGHAI

Ping Chen is the executive director of Shanghai-based architecture firm HUGE Architecture Office. His firm reflects the changing face of China’s architectural landscape – bringing western influences and western clients into China through a partnership with a Dutch company. Mr Chen himself, brings to the firm an Australian edge – having completed a Masters degree of Urban Development and Design at UNSW, Sydney, and work experience with two big Australian design firms.

His decision to study in Australia was prompted by his desire to improve his professional standing in marketing and as a leader in design planning in China.

During his time in Sydney, from 2009 to 2011, Mr Chen made new friends, especially fellow professionals in urban and architectural design areas who gave him opportunities to work and cooperate with Australian firms when he returned to Shanghai, including HASSELL and Woods Bagot.

“This provided a lot of challenges and opportunities for my career,” he says.

Using his professional background in architectural design and real estate consulting as well as his skills in urban development and design, business development and project management, Mr Chen is helping overseas firms develop connections in China while also providing architectural services of an international standard to his Chinese clients.

HUGE is a multi-disciplinary architecture company, with offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai and Hangzhou, specialising in architecture, interior design and master planning services for clients all over the world, including Australia.

Mr Chen says the main obstacle for foreign architectural firms coming into China, is connections.

“I think the China market is still very big for global investment and development – but it’s how well Australian firms can find those opportunities, and how they sell their brands in China, or how they promote their knowledge and previous successful experiences into the right areas and to the right people,” says Mr Chen.

He says overseas firms still have an edge in China, such as creating and generating new lifestyle options for China’s responsive younger generation.

“In terms of the future for foreign architects in China, I believe that foreign firms have a bright future here based on Chinese social demands – population growth and the improvement of life quality,” says Mr Chen.

However, he says foreign firms need to confront the reality that as more and more professional and sophisticated clients in China, including government and developers look to reduce cost but enhance quality, foreign firms will face increasing competition from Chinese local design institutes committed to improving their standards by investing in foreign partnerships or benefitting from overseas-trained Chinese architects. ü


REINVENTING THE DESTINATION DESIGN BY BUCHAN buchan.com.au

architecturemaster planninginteriorsgraphics

The Buchan Group is the leader in Retail Design in South East Asia as ranked in World Architecture Magazine’s 2014 World Survey.

CHENGDU YIHE, CHINA

n CHINESE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MARKET: SNAPSHOT


An international education is at the core of the ‘Chinese dream’. Increased financial affordability, shortage of quality domestic educational resources and enthusiastic recruitment efforts by foreign countries continue to fuel Chinese aspirations for study abroad. It is no longer confined to the elites but becoming affordable and accessible to beyond the middle class.

China is now the largest source country of international students globally accounting about 14 percent of international student population worldwide according to the 2012 Development of China’s Study Abroad’s annual report. The year of 2012 saw a 17 percent increase over the previous years in the number of Chinese students going abroad for studies, totalling 399,600 according to the Chinese Ministry of Education’s figures. The study abroad market is now going through a phase of diversification in terms of level of studies, discipline of studies, and study destinations.

SECURING THE TERTIARY MARKET

University studies remain the predominant level of studies. However, Chinese families are sending their children younger and earlier to an overseas country for high school – and even primary school – studies. This is to better prepare them in securing a place in a top foreign university.

The choice of country for high school education is effectively the choice of country for tertiary education. As indicated in an Austrade market research in the Chinese demand for overseas high school education, the school market segment is now a key to secure long-term market share sustainability. Inspiring Chinese families to choose Australia as a high school study destination is more critical than ever.

RETURN ON INVESTMENTUnlike the earlier generations, the child/

student has now a bigger say in deciding where

and what to study. The younger generation has taken on a more global outlook that sees their study choices extended to a wider range of disciplines. This is a welcoming trend after years of concentration in business-related studies by Chinese students.

Future employability is however noted as a key factor in deciding on field of studies and study destinations. Programs offering work experience and internship present strong appeal. Great importance is attached to return of investment through job outcomes and career options.

Illustrative of this point is the positive reception to the Austrade careers fairs held in Australia and China for graduating students and alumni.

The most popular study destinations remain to be the USA, UK, Australia and Canada. The mobility of Chinese students is, however, extending to a much wider range of countries around the world. These include Western countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand but Asian countries are increasingly popular for their affordability, close proximity and ease of cultural adjustments. Key Asian destinations include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

After several challenging years, there is a rebound of interest in Australia from Chinese students. The 2013 EIC Study Destinations Preference Survey, now shows Australia as the third preferred study destinations for Chinese students. The year of 2012-2013 saw an overall increase of 22 percent in the Australian student visa applications lodged by Chinese applicants offshore, presenting a brighter and more encouraging picture for the Australian international education sector.

The growth was nonetheless concentrated in postgraduate studies with undergraduate and school studies lagging behind. This suggests that Australia has not gained grounds in the ‘go-younger-and-earlier’ trend. How to capture the imagination of the younger generation in China is a critical issue to be addressed.

GAOKAOThe acceptance of Gaokao (China’s

National College Entrance Examination) by certain Australian universities does achieve that and has created widespread discussion at various levels in China for the last two years. There is a genuine appreciation of their national qualification being recognised by top universities in the Western World. Chinese families see it as a new pathway and option for Chinese students.

JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAMMESAt the front of joint program and

transnational education program delivery, Australian providers are facing challenges arising from not just tightened regulations but also strong competition. New players from competitor countries are willing and ready to try out new models of cooperation that aim at meeting the internationalisation agenda of Chinese institutions. Programs combining exchanges and dual-degree offerings to achieve genuine two-way flow are on the rise. The part-China and part-Australia joint program model pioneered so successfully by Australian providers in the past decade is no longer the only game in town.

Looking ahead, the outlook is positive but challenges diminishing no less. The Australian education sector has been a leader in the international education scene known for its innovative thinking and proven in its delivery. Re-invigorating Australia’s innovation in international education delivery in the light of the changing aspirations in China seems to be the key. ü

*Eliza Chui is the Australian Trade Commission’s Education Commissioner for North Asia and Consul (Education) with the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai. Eliza is based in Shanghai.

What does an Apple iPhone, a Mercedes E200, a Coach handbag and an Airbus A320 all have in common?

- They are all made in China.

I find it common for people to tell me that the quality of made in China products is poor. And yet, if I were to ask the same people about their perception of the products listed in my question above, they would most likely tell me that they are all high quality products.

The reality is that quality has nothing to do with country of origin or the ethnicity of the production workers.

The quality of products is solely a function of the quality of management overseeing manufacturing and how well the manufacturer understands their customer’s needs.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FORImagine in your own country that

you had to source a product. If you were considering cost as the major factor, you might find a supplier who operated an old

factory in a remote village with a dirt floor, using 50-year-old machines and a workforce of illiterate peasant farmers. Would you expect to receive quality products? Of course not. However many buyers seem to think that they can select the cheapest possible supplier and also expect western standards of quality (and corporate governance) when they come to China.

This does not happen in Australia, nor will it happen in China (or India, or Thailand). Simply put – you get what you pay for. Therefore, if all your manufacturing decisions are going to be based on price, you are likely to end up with a supplier who is unable, and probably unwilling, to meet your quality requirements.

While on occasions, the cheapest supplier might also offer the best run factory with good business systems in place to deliver what you want, my advice is to properly consider all factors in your supplier selection beyond just price.

Properly assess your potential suppliers and, ideally, visit their factory and review their systems to make sure they can deliver what you want, to the quality you want.

YOU GET WHAT YOU ASK FORChoosing the right supplier can still take

some time to reach best results. Consider that if you have been producing your product internally or using a local supplier, the end results are based on the supplier’s years of experience working with your businesses in producing your products to the right requirements. Much of this experience may not be documented, including corporate memory of past quality problems and key tips and tricks on how to get the product right.

Consider these factors when establishing your relationship with your new manufacturer in China. For best results, invest in time to really communicate to your Chinese supplier exactly what you want, why you want it and how to achieve this quality. This usually means locating key technical staff from your business in

the Chinese suppliers’ factory during the start-up phase until quality is assured. Remember also that you are working with a supplier in a different country, with a different language and culture, so this knowledge transfer is likely to be more difficult, more detailed and take longer than it would when communicating with a supplier in your own country.

BUILDING IN QUALITY RATHER THAN INSPECTING IT OUT

Around 30 years ago, lead by the Japanese, manufacturers in developed economies discovered that it was much better to try and locate and prevent defects on the production line rather than trying to inspect defects out of the completed products. The next big quality improvement wave in China is therefore working to assure “quality at the source”, so that each worker is accountable for his or her own quality.

Once quality is assured, inspection can be slowly eliminated, reducing cost, reducing waste and finally assuring a quality product to the end customer every time.

There is nothing inherently bad about the quality of Chinese-made products. Many premium “high quality” products are already made in China, however buyers need to be careful to select suppliers based on their ability to deliver a quality product, and not soley on price. Time and effort then needs to be put in to ensuring the Chinese supplier understands exactly what the buyer wants and how to make it. ü

*Tim McLean is the Managing Director of lean manufacturing consultancy TXM. The firm’s Shanghai office opened in 2009. Tim has more than 20 years in operational and general management roles in a wide range of manufacturing industries. Contact Tim: [email protected]

KEEPING AUSTRALIA AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS

MADE IN CHINAAs the Chinese international education market landscape changes, Australia needs to be attracting Chinese students into its junior and senior school sectors if it hopes to remain competitive in the tertiary sector, writes the Australian Trade Commission’s Eliza Chui.

Some Chinese made products get a bad wrap when it comes to quality. But as Tim McLean writes, investing in time, communication and quality control can make China a quality and cost effective source for manufacturing.

MANUFACTURING IN CHINA n

AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS 33 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

The “other side” of Chinese manufacturing.

DESTINATION AUSTRALIA: THE SIGNIFICANT INVESTOR VISAThe Migration Institute of Australia outlines the latest news in the much hyped, significant investor visa.

n MIGRATION INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA

On November 24, 2012 the Australian Government announced a new visa option in the Business and Innovation and Investment visa program: the Significant Investor Visa.

Visa applicants in this category must: • submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect

and be invited to apply for the visa• be nominated by a State or Territory

government • make investments of at least five million

Australian dollars into complying investments. Visa applicants do not need to satisfy a points

test and there are no upper age limits or English language requirements. The visa stream features a residence requirement of 160 days spent in Australia over four years while holding the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (Subclass 188) visa.

Visa holders also may extend their provisional visa by an additional two years, with a maximum of two extensions permitted.

The Minster for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, gave an indication of the future of the Significant Investor Visa at the MIA National Conference in October.

The minister said the government had positive and strong plans to continue the program, as it can attract significant investment to stimulate the Australian economy and create jobs and capital.

Minister Morrison said he intended to remove vague and unnecessarily prescriptive elements of the program, to remove confusion and uncertainty, and to improve the processing times for SIV applications.

In particular the minister said he would review the investment criteria for the SIV program with a view to having a more flexible approach to enable capital to be available to small and medium businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups.

He sees the program as not so much providing a $5 million dollar investment to Australia, but providing Australia with those people capable of making that initial investment and continuing to generate wealth for Australia.

Mr Morrison said that the residence requirements of the SIV program should also focus on the secondary applicants and family members of the primary applicant because “we are looking to see that family anchor themselves here in Australia.”

Any reforms to the SIV program will be

carefully thought out by the government before implementation, but already there has been an improvement in processing times. ü


COMPLYING INVESTMENTS

Complying investments for the Significant Investor visa include Commonwealth, State or Territory government bonds; Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulated managed funds with a mandate for investing in Australia; and direct investment into Australian proprietary companies.

Visa applicants may hold investments in each of the above investment options and may also change between complying investments, provided they meet specified reinvestment requirements.

The investment must be made and held directly by the applicant or together with their spouse or de facto partner; through a company where the total amount of issued shares are owned by the applicant or together with their spouse or de facto partner; or through a valid trust where the trustees and beneficiaries include the applicant or their spouse or de facto partner together.

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT COMMISSION REGULATED MANAGED FUNDS

An ASIC regulated managed fund for the purpose of the Significant Investor visa is a managed investment scheme defined in the Corporations Act 2001 and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Any interests issued in the fund must not be able to be traded on a financial market and must be covered by an Australian Financial Services Licence.

Investments in ASIC regulated managed funds include any investments made through an Investor Directed Portfolio Service.

For an ASIC regulated managed fund to qualify as a complying investment it must be limited to categories of investments specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument in writing. These categories include: • infrastructure projects in Australia; • cash held by Australian deposit taking institutions;

• bonds issued by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory government;

• bonds, equity, hybrids or other corporate debt in companies and trusts listed on an Australian stock exchange;

• bonds or term deposits issued by Australian financial institutions;

• real estate in Australia; and • Australian agribusiness.

The managed fund must be open to the general public and the fund manager must provide a compliance declaration on Form 1413 that their services would be limited to the categories of investments in Australia specified by the Minister in the legislative instrument.

DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO AUSTRALIAN PROPRIETARY COMPANIES

For a direct investment into an Australian proprietary company to qualify as a ‘complying investment’, the following criteria must be met: • the company must genuinely operate a qualifying business in Australia;

• the applicant must obtain an ownership interest in the company;

• the company must be registered with ASIC; and

• the business must have an Australian Business Number.


REGIONAL PROFILE: SHANDONG n n AUSTRALIAN WINE IN CHINA


The latest figures released by Wine Australia paint a very different picture for Australian wine in China compared to the past few years. Whereas even as late as September 2013, Australian wine was showing high growth in the A$7.50+ per litre category, the main growth now lies in the A$2.50 or less value per litre segment, creating a shadow over the ‘bright lights of China’.

The main reason for this rapid change is the Chinese government’s austerity measures that were introduced in 2012, which saw the curbing of excessive expenditure by government officials and state owned enterprises. Lavish banquets accompanied by cases of Lafite and Petrus are now a thing of the past as Premier Xi Jinping continues to introduce policies that restore legitimacy and trust in the government.

The result for Australian wine exports has been quite dramatic. Total exports in 2013 to China were only 37 million litres, down 16 percent. The total value also decreased by 7.6 percent to $223 million. Bulk wine exports – wine that often finds its way into local Chinese wine – was also down 3 million litres or 59 percent, indicating that the local Chinese industry has also been affected by these austerity measures.

Furthermore, Australia’s market share has decreased by 6 percent although we are still holding onto our number two position between France and Spain. France has been even harder hit with a 12 percent decrease in market share. The main winner has been Chile, who, in fourth

place, has seen its market share increase by 14 percent mainly due to their FTA agreement with China and the relative affordability of its wines.

However it is not all bad news for Australian wines. The average FOB price per litre was up 10 percent to $6.05, due in part to a 3 percent increase in the $5 to $7.49 per litre category. However, not so positive was the 23 percent increase in bottled wine at the $2.50 litre or less price point, a development that indicates local importers and distributors are now readjusting their business models, and are bringing in cheaper wines that better suit the non-government channels.

“We’re planning for another tough year in 2014,” says John Watkins, chief executive of ASC Fine Wines, one of China’s leading wine importers.

Alberto Fernandez, managing partner at Torres China agrees. “2014 will probably remain difficult. There are a lot of stocks and the market is in a period of correction. The market is going back to where it used to be 10 years ago, when restaurants and bars dominated wine sales rather than the gifting and banqueting culture that has dominated sales over the past five years.”

Premium wine is now more difficult to sell leading to cash flow issues, and even bankruptcy, amongst many wine distributors, both large and small. The second and third tier cities have been most significantly affected as the government and corporate channels until recently have dominated

sales in those markets.Yet most believe that these changes will be

a positive force in the long term. “Sales of wines priced between the equivalent of US$20 to $60-a-bottle are picking up,” says John Watkins. “Based on normal market dynamics, this mid-level is exactly where the main part of the wine market should be”.

Distributors are also now beginning to target their sales and marketing campaigns at the ‘real consumers’. That is, people who use their own money to purchase wines for their own consumption. Although these end consumers are typically more fickle and have less brand awareness or loyalty, they are increasingly seen as the key to long-term business success. Wine distributors and wine brands alike are now working tirelessly to win them over through regular tastings events, wine education courses and the building of online sales platforms that enhance rather than compete with the more traditional on and off premise offering.

So what does the Year of the Horse mean for Australian wine companies wanting to succeed in China over the next 12 months? Remembering these five points during these difficult times should help.

Speed - react fast and adapt to maintain your competitive advantage.

Strength – don’t give up on poor performing partners, as they will need your support now more than ever.

Teamwork – focus on your people as your relationships will help you to overcome any difficulties.

Vision – identify your ‘blind spots’ and don’t get easily spooked. Create strategies that put you in front of the pack.

Spirit – the ‘will to win’! Continually inspire those around you and remain positive in the face of hardship.

This is going to be another challenging year for the Australian wine industry as the market continues to adjust. However success will come to those who 再接再历. ‘Redouble their efforts to attain even greater achievements’. Stay strong and stay in the race – the Chinese wine market is still hot! ü

*Nikki Palun is the Director of Henty Lane Wines.

Shandong Province, a peninsula jutting out from the east coast of China between Beijing and Shanghai, is quickly becoming a lucrative hub for Australian business, trade and investment opportunities. Shandong boasts the third largest nominal GDP of all provinces in China, with Australia ranked as its seventh largest trading partner.

Australia enjoys a particularly strong association with Shandong due to a Sister State relationship between Shandong Province and South Australia, established in 1986, and a similar cooperative relationship between Adelaide and Qingdao. Austrade has also recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of its office in Qingdao.

With these growing links, it is not surprising that the Australian private and public sectors are beginning to devote more and more time and resources to building a greater Australian presence in Shandong. Similarly, the Shandong Government is looking at how to create long-lasting ties with Australia, best represented by its current work on a White Paper on Shandong-Australia Relations. Shandong is the first Chinese province to devote this level of resources (with input from Austrade) to a comprehensive review

of relations with Australia. Two-way trade between Shandong and

Australia is increasing rapidly. In 2012, Australia’s trade with Shandong alone was worth US$13.99 billion, a year on year increase of 10.1 percent. Australia’s imports from the province in 2012 stood at US$2.83 billion, up 20.9 percent; exports to Shandong amounted to US$ 11.17 billion, up 8.97 percent.

It is endowed with rich agricultural and marine resources and has developed impressive food processing industries. Shandong has been China’s largest exporter of agricultural products for more than a decade. Major agricultural exports include seafood and marine products, vegetables, fruits, meat and peanut products.

Industries currently contributing to the bilateral trade relationship include mining, coal, machinery and equipment, electrical appliances, textile products, garments, steel products and containers. Sectors such as building design and construction, mining and environmental services, urban planning, aged care, as well as the beverage and financial service sectors also show great potential.

In the cities of Jinan and Qingdao, where service outsourcing is developing vigorously, some Australian companies have achieved notable success. Since establishing its Qingdao office in 2008, Australian digital agency, Gruden, has designed and won high level recognition for its web design and related services. Commonwealth Bank has a strategic investment in Shandong’s Qilu Bank. Argyle Hotels, currently managing 45 hotel properties in China, has a presence in Qingdao.

Australia’s dairy industry has achieved considerable success, in the form of Murray Goulburn’s plant in Qingdao (with newly expanded production facilities to meet accelerating local demand), manufacturing infant formula and nutrition products. Its high-quality products and active involvement in corporate social responsibility programs have been greatly appreciated by both the Chinese and Australian governments.

With Australia as one of Shandong’s top trading partners, Tsingtao Beer and home appliance companies Haier and Hisense have all expanded their markets to Australia. Tsingtao is importing a large percentage of its barley and hops from Australia.

Shandong’s investments in the Australian

mining and energy sector are of considerable importance. Yanzhou Coal Mining Company is the major shareholder in Yancoal Australia, which was created through a merger with Gloucester Coal to build Australia’s largest listed coal corporation. Yanzhou Coal is also the single largest Chinese investor in Australia. Australia and Shandong have also cooperated on new energy projects in wind energy and algae biofuels.

Shandong’s agricultural imports continue to rise, particularly imports of soybeans and cotton. Growing domestic demand for agricultural products has also generated investment in Australia’s agricultural industry. In January 2013, textile giant Shandong Ruyi bought 80 percent of Australia’s largest cotton farm Cubbie Station, which is located 500 kilometres west of Brisbane on the Queensland and New South Wales border.

Shandong’s wineries lead the nation, producing almost half the national output. There are currently more than 200 wine producers in the region, with most distributed in the Nanwang Grape Valley and along the Yan-Peng Sightseeing Highway. While Australia traditionally supplied large amounts of bulk wine to major Chinese producers such as Changyu and Great Wall, Austrade has taken initiatives to promote export of quality wines, assisting Tsingtao Beer source Australian wines and holding an Australian Wine Roadshow with more than 40 exhibitors in Qingdao in May 2013.

Business, educational and cultural ties have been boosted by the Shandong-South Australia and Qingdao-Adelaide relationships, the latter elevated to official sister city status in October 2013. Trade and investment from Shandong have been assisted by the South Australian Government’s commercial representative office in Jinan. The University of Adelaide and School of Management Shandong University are increasing cooperative initiatives, such as their joint Innovation and Entrepreneurial Management Research Centre.

2014 will be a good year for Australian business in Shandong. Austrade is organising a Seafood and White Wine Festival as well as an Australian Products Week for Qingdao. The Shandong provincial and local governments are planning new links with Australia, including participation as principal guest at OzFest Asia in Adelaide. We can expect Shandong to assume a rising profile in the Australia-China relationship. ü

AUSTRALIAN WINE TROTTING INTO 2014

SEA CHANGEAustralian wine moved from a gallop to a trot into China last year, but as Nikki Palun writes, the Year of the Horse is looking promising for Australian wines in China.

The northern coastal province of Shandong presents opportunities for Australian business across a range of sectors, writes Blaze Puksand and Matthew Warr


Hosting the Olympic sailing event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics helped put Qingdao on the map. (Courtesy the Qingdao government).


2014年，是澳大利亚和中国两国关系发展的又一个关键之年。此时此刻，我很高兴能够跟《连接中澳》的读者朋友们再次碰面。

中国对澳大利亚的经济和战略利益至关重要，这一点在我们两国的商业关系中体现得最为明显。重要的是，中国在澳大利亚各个领域不断增长的投资是两国间高水平贸易的补充。澳大利亚十分欢迎来自中国的投资，联邦财务部长乔•霍基(Joe Hockey)近日批准了中国国家电网公司收购新加坡电力公司在澳大利亚东部的电力，燃气及供水的基础设施资产。这是澳大利亚批准对基础设施进行重大投资的新举措。在2005/2006年到2011/2012年之间，中国向澳大利亚提出的商业投资意向有420份得到批准。上述期间，中国提出的商业和房地产投资意向总值累计超过900亿澳元。澳大利亚对这项记录深感自豪。

我们同样不应该忘记，澳大利亚也是中国的重要合作伙伴。澳大利亚不断为中国提供矿产和能源资源，支持中国的持续发展；近年来，中国大约一半的进口铁矿石、四分之一的海运进口液化天然气和煤都来自澳大利亚。澳大利亚对中国日益提高的生活水平、食品安全也有贡献，我们为中国提供质量上乘、价格极具竞争力的农产品；而这些又是建立在我们与中国开展的富有远见的农业合作基础之上，共同创建领域优势。我们还为中国的人力资本和人才建设贡献良多——每年有超过10万名中国学生在澳大利亚留学。重要的是，

我们也欢迎留学生们完成学业后继续留在澳大利亚，为他们提供毕业后的工作签证，以增加他们在澳大利亚的生活与工作经验。同时，中国也是澳大利亚年轻人的留学热门之地，每年有大约4000名澳大利亚学生留学中国。

澳大利亚和中国在2013建立了“战略伙伴关系”，这直接反映了两国双边关系之强大；重要的是，这一战略伙伴关系中包括了澳大利亚总理和中国总理间一年一度的领导人会晤机制。而支撑这一机制的澳中两国的外交部长和负责经济的部长之间的对话也是这一关系的一部分。这些互动为我们两国高层领导人提供机会保持相互关注，增加接触，相互熟悉与加深了解，为未来进一步巩固双边关系打好基础。外交部长毕晓普(Julie Bishop)在2013年12月初访华期间，参加了首轮澳中“外交与战略对话”(Foreign and Strategic Dialogue)。

在毕晓普部长访问中国之前，澳大利亚工业部部长伊恩•麦克法兰(Ian Macfarlane)在2013年11月访问北京和天津，并重申澳大利亚的承诺——进一步发展澳中两国间的矿产与能源贸易和投资。这是对贸易和投资部长安德鲁•罗伯(Andrew Robb)在2013年10月和11月两次访华的补充，再次强调了澳大利亚与中国的商务关系以及更广泛的双边关系之重要性。并且，2013年的另一大亮点，无疑是澳大利亚前任总督昆廷•布赖斯女士(Quentin Bryce)受中国国家主席习近平的邀请，对中国进行了国事访问。澳大利亚每一个州和领地的领导人在过去一年都访问了中国，这也是值得人们注意的。

2013年，澳大利亚还在四川省成都市成立了最新的总领事馆。澳大利亚驻成都总领事馆将负责四川省、云南省、贵州省和重庆直辖市的领事事务。这个拥有1.9亿人口的多样化地区，在2012的国内生产总值提高了约13％。成都总领事馆已经着手推进澳大利亚在中国西南地区的利益增长，促进贸易与投资以及民间的联系。澳大利亚驻成都总领事馆的成立，展示了澳大利亚极度重视与中国快速发展的内陆地区的联系。澳大利亚驻成都总领事郭南希女士(Nancy Gordon)以及我本人都热切地期望在中国的西南部扩大和深化澳中两国的商务、政治和文化关系。

2013年底是中国举国的又一重要时刻——中国共产党第十八届三中全会在10月举行。这次三中全会发出的文件涵盖了许多重要的改革领域，包括土地、户口制

度、财政政策，以及进一步改进国有企业运作的措施。我十分欣慰地看到市场的作用得到更多重视，并进一步得到开放——长此以往，这能协助澳大利亚企业获得更多进入中国市场的机会，无论是商品贸易，服务行业，还是更多的投资机会，都将得到长足的发展。

澳中两国除了有着多元和日益增长的官方联系之外，两国之间在非政府领域的双边关系的发展步伐也未曾停止，这是十分让人欣喜的。澳中两国私人企业积极互动、贸易代表团和学术交流活动频繁；两国人民在艺术、科学、文化、青年、媒体以及其他领域都建立了极好的关系，这些发展都非常令人振奋，并显示出两国间的关系从未像现在这样强壮和富有弹性。

我们将在2014年迎来什么？

澳大利亚总理托尼•艾伯特(T o n y Abbott)（于2013年10月）在巴厘岛会晤习近平主席之后宣布他计划在2014年上半年访问中国。艾伯特总理表示，届时他将率领一支由州长、商界领袖、学术精英、科学及文化领袖组成的代表团一同访问中国。我们期待着他的来访，这定将是一次彰显澳中两国关系的广度与活力的访问。

当然，澳大利亚政府还计划在2014实现澳中自由贸易协定这一宏伟目标。贸易和投资部长安德鲁•罗伯2013年11月对北京的访问是朝着这一目标迈出的重要步。

澳大利亚驻华大使2014贺年致辞


辞旧岁迎新年澳大利亚驻华大使孙芳安女士的2014新年致辞

澳大利亚外交部长毕晓普会晤中国外交部长王毅。（澳大利亚外交贸易部供图）


他与中国商务部部长高虎城会晤过后表示，澳中双方已经建立了尽快落实自由贸易协定的基础。

2014年，中国和澳大利亚还将分别举办亚太经合组织会议(APEC)和20国集团会议(G20)。虽然最受人们关注的焦点还是年底的领导人会议，但值得注意的是，在这一年期间，一系列会议将在澳中两国举行，其中很多会议将会有相关的部长及商业领袖出席。我们热切希望澳中两国作为东道主，能够相互协调合作，以确保APEC会议和G20会议取得最佳成果。由于这两项会议专注于商业、贸易和国际金融，商界的支持和行动将是会议成功的重要因素。主办这样的会议意味着，艾伯特总理有望在年底来到中国出席APEC领导人会议，习近平主席有望在11月中旬参加在布里斯班举行的G20峰会。

我们也将努力推动执行“新科伦坡计划”(New Colombo Plan)——这是澳大利亚政府的一项标志性动议。该计划会让大学本科学生得到政府支持，在印度洋-太平洋地区留学和实习，从而增进相互了解以及加强澳大利亚与这个快速发展地区的

联系。“新科伦坡计划”目前正在四个区域试行，并且将从2015年起在更多地区展开。我在中国的澳大利亚外交同仁与我本人一道，期待着在2014年就这项重要的新举措做出进一步商讨。

展望未来，我很高兴地看到，2014年澳中两国的文化交流日程也逐渐成形。今年3月，澳大利亚驻华大使馆与驻中国各地领事馆的工作人员，将举办第七届年度“澳大利亚文学周”活动(Australian Writers Week)；今年的主题会围绕着“亚澳文学”展开。今年晚些时候，我们

将与文化界和商业界进行合作，宣传澳大利亚在电影、时装和设计这些创意产业中的才干。精彩的沃伯顿原住民艺术展(Warburton Indigenous art exhibition)将继续在中国多个城市巡回展览。该艺术展在2013年下半年于华南、华西和华北有七次展览。2014年的巡展地点也已落实。必须提及的是，悉尼交响乐团将在2014年年中再次来到中国，在上海、杭州、北京、西安、深圳和广州演出——这一世界级的交响乐团将为古典音乐爱好者带来听觉的盛宴！

最后，我要向身在中国和澳洲的澳大利亚人致以2014年最佳的祝愿。祝大家在即将到来的马年硕果累累、家庭幸福、工作顺利。我期待在新的一年里继续与大家携手共进。

澳大利亚驻华大使2014贺年致辞


前澳大利亚总督昆廷•布赖斯女士会晤中国国家总理李克强。

（澳大利亚外交贸易部供图）


澳大利亚贸易委员会近期活动一览

澳贸委在2013年11-12月间在全国各地组织和举办了涉及众多行业的活动，为繁忙的2013年画上了一个圆满的句号。

2013年11月初，澳贸委会组织了澳大利亚顶尖的清洁技术公司代表团访问中国。参加代表团的公司都是从澳大利亚清洁技术大赛（Australian Cleantech Competition）脱颖而出的决赛企业——该项大赛是由澳大利亚政府主办的年度竞赛，旨在发现并支持澳大利亚最优秀的清洁技术公司。本次代表团考察的目的是将澳大利亚的先进技术打入国际市场。代表团先后访问了香港、南京、上海和新加坡，并作为澳大利亚国家展台的一部分参展11月6日至8日在南京举行的中国国际环保产业博览会。

继2012年首届中国留澳校友职业发展咨询会在上海成功举办，澳贸委会再次携手智联招聘，于2013年11月10日在广州举办2013中国留澳校友职业发展咨询会，为中国留澳

学生提供一个平台，帮助他们了解就业前景及企业需求，并充分展示他们在澳大利亚的学习成果与所获技能。中国留澳校友职业发展咨询会是一项由澳大利亚政府教育推广部门–澳贸委会发起的活动，共有18所澳大利亚大学报名参加。广州专场活动共吸引了32家中国、澳大利亚和其他跨国企业机构参与。活动当天除了众多知名企业与校友面对面交流，还有10多场由政府、企业与成功校友主讲的讲座。

2013年11月11-18日期间，澳贸委在长沙、武汉、西安和成都举办“2013品鉴澳大利亚葡萄酒推介会”。来自西澳州、南澳州、新南威尔士州和维多利亚州的各个葡萄酒产区的近30家澳大利亚酒庄及其中国经销商和代表参加了在四个城市举行的品鉴会，所展示的葡萄酒品种繁多，近100个品牌，为参加活动的中国葡萄酒业内人士和葡萄酒爱好者提供了多层次的丰富选择范围，并最终将这些精彩纷呈的澳大利亚葡萄酒带给中国消费者。

2013年11月12日下午，澳贸委与安徽省商务厅共同主办了“安徽•澳大利亚投资研讨对接会”。澳贸委会、驻沪总领事馆、五个州政府商务官员及金融、法律服务机构代表，以及来自安徽省各地近70家企业以及省经信委、国土资源厅、科技厅、住建厅、工商联，本省主要金融机构，有关商协会和专业咨询服务机构的130位代表参加了本次对接活动。

12月5日至31日，澳贸委会将与国内知名电商1号店合作，首次举办“1号店澳大利亚产品节”，为迎接新年的国内消费者提供400多个品种的优质澳大利亚产品，包括原产自澳大利亚的牛奶、葡萄酒、肉类、海鲜、小食、护肤品和消费品等。来自澳大利亚的优质产品已经通过各种传统的销售平台进入中国消费者家庭，而“1号店澳大利亚产品节”将是澳大利亚政府首次通过电商平台集中展示并推广澳大利亚产品，并以此不断提升澳大利亚产品与品牌在中国消费者心目中的知名度与美誉度，同时帮助继续扩大澳大利亚产品的销售平台。

当澳大利亚建筑师Joburt Betadam在2002年第一次从墨尔本来到上海时，他希望能向中国人展示自己在环保建筑和可持续设计方面的利基专长。2006年，环境问题成为中国政府的第十一个“五年计划”工作的重中之重，中国政府制定了新的法规，规定所有新的建筑物都必须达到最低环保标准。这对在环保建筑领域有利基专长的澳大利亚设计公司来说，可谓打开了一扇大门。

Betadam先生得到了维多利亚州政府的澳洲都市系统部门的支持；维州与中国江苏省有着长达35年的“友好省份”关系，这为两地在环保建筑方面的合作打下很好的基础。（澳洲都市系统：Australian Urban Systems，以下简称AUS。这是维州政府提出的倡议，为的是促进环保和可持续发展领域的建筑专业知识推广，以及更具战略性地发展城市化相关的出口业务，今年是AUS推出第十年。）

在中国，来自维多利亚州各个行业的公司，通过政府间的官方引荐、贸易代表团以及互惠代表团活动，凝聚在一起，共同为落实在江苏的项目而努力。其参与者不仅仅是澳洲的建筑设计、城市和总体规划公司，工程和水技术公司以及土壤修复企业也涵盖其中。他们通力合作的前提是，如果任何一间公司争取到了合同，就必须介绍其它服务环节的公司来负责同一项合同中的对口事宜。

尽管在2000年代中期，可持续性也许是澳大利亚设计公司打入中国市场的初始优势，如今，这些公司在中国取得的长期成功，很大程度上取决于他们如何展示自己在中国做出的成绩、制定的长期合约，以及拥有区别于中国本土和海外竞争对手的优势和利基专长。

“打入中国市场，必须拥有一定的视角。” Betadam先生说：“可持续性这个的视角在中国仍受推崇。”

Betadam先生说，如今澳大利亚建筑师

进入中国最大的挑战之一，是如何在中国建立和推广自己的品牌——在澳洲的口碑不能够保证其在中国获得同样的知名度。

在中国，对标志性开发项目的竞争是相当激烈的——能够拿下一个项目有时纯粹靠的是运气。

Betadam先生表示，现今中国的开发商游历十分广阔，拥有全球化视野，并很清楚自己想要的是什么。

“跟我们打交道的开发商，他们的游历经验比我们还要丰富——他们知道自己想要什么，他们在海外看到成功的项目，并说：我们也要这样的。”

Betadam先生给予进入中国市场的澳洲建筑公司如下建议：了解在中国建筑行业的“龙头”都有谁，并且“将这些开发商带到澳大利亚来，在那里展示你们成功的建筑设计项目。”

“展示你在澳大利亚取得的成功。证明你有在中国生存的实力，并考虑与业界其它公司合作。”

多姆•塔索内先生（Dom Tassone）是维多利亚州AUS总监以及维多利亚州政府基础设施与城市建设主任。中国建筑行业不断进取（AUS也一样），在全球范围推广澳洲设计专业知识，以及不断接纳除了建筑和设计领域以外的澳洲公司，从而促进维多利亚州其他主要行业的澳洲公司在中国的发展（包括创意、教育与培训、饮食业和医疗保健业）。如今，AUS吸纳的专家人才还包括公共艺术雕塑家、环境服务人士，以及水资源专家。

塔索内先生说：“我们的立足点始于江苏省，如今我们的声誉已经远播其外了。”

墨尔本连续三年获评全球最宜居城市的声誉是AUS手里的一张王牌。AUS“旗下”的公司不但乘着墨尔本世界级宜居性的东

风来宣传自己的品牌，澳洲其它以城市建筑著称的城市（如悉尼和阿德莱德）也相当有自我推广的底气。

“我们推广是——通力合作，令你的城市变得更具可持续发展性和宜居性——就如我们的城市一般。”塔索内先生说。

“城市系统是一座城市持久发展的基础——从街道到设施都很重要。宜居性高和拥有可持续发展性的城市能够吸引创意型和创新型的人才，由此，具有创造性和创新性的人才便能吸引高产值的行业在城市生根落叶——这就是维多利亚州的精髓所在——这里是澳洲生物技术、清洁技术、创意设计和全球主要体育赛事的中心（澳大利亚网球公开赛，墨尔本F1大奖赛以及墨尔本杯赛马节）。”

AUS与多家中国大型开发商和国有企业建立联系，这里便包括上海建工集团——上海环球金融中心和上海中心大厦的开发商。（高达632米的上海中心大厦有望成为中国最高的摩天大楼，预计将在2014年12月竣工。）

“基于这些业务连接，维多利亚州的建筑公司很有机会参与这类型的开发项目，因为他们并不是毛遂自荐，而是通过AUS引荐而进入中国。 ”

塔索内先生表示，中国有许多建筑师在澳大利亚接受教育，这使中国建筑业的竞争力不断攀升。

建筑专题——澳大利亚建筑在中国


澳洲建筑业利基专长在华锁定机遇中国的建筑与设计市场竞争日趋激烈，拥有利基专长的澳洲建筑公司在中国连连获得成功。《连接中澳》主编罗心梦报

武进莲花规划会展中心


武进莲花规划会展中心内部装潢

凤凰谷武进少年宫

“你亲眼目睹了上海外滩、浦东开发区，以及08年奥运会之后北京的发展，不难陷入一种‘我在中国要如何突破’的思考。”

对于AUS在中国经验来说，中国人所强调的“总是在谈合作”，“朋友第一，生意第二。” 塔索内先生如此说道。

塔索内先生鼓励澳洲企业步步为营地进入中国市场，并要利用政府的资源来推广或建立在中国的业务。

“中国市场是很难打开的，但有了政府的支持来恰当地组合进入中国的生意结构，以及与当地的业内人士建立关系，你其实可以在中国取得相当的成功的。”塔

索内先生：“这个过程是艰难的，但回报会是可观的。”

维多利亚州的“505工作室”(Studio 505)建筑设计公司——以其在墨尔本打造的像素馆大厦而闻名——在2005年时在江苏省赢得了第一份中国合同：为苏州科技文化艺术中心做外观设计。

505工作室在中国的其他项目包括最为人所知的凤凰谷项目——这是一座华丽的建筑，拥有一千个座位的大剧院、四间电影院、一座运动舞蹈综合体、一座美术馆、一间少年宫；另外还有标志性的武进莲花规划会展中心。这两个项目都在2013年竣工。

简而言之，武进莲花规划会展中心的设计理念是“美丽”，505工作室通过具有雕塑美感和空灵性的莲花造型将其实现。设计合同还包括改造周边湖泊和公园的景观。该中心的入口在湖面以下，将人们引进一个大教堂般的开阔空间，配以马赛克风格的室内设计，以及505工作室设计的长达七米的水晶吊灯。

这种项目在中国非比寻常，中国规划部长定期视察工地，以确保每项细节都得到落实。

凤凰谷——这个通过维多利亚州AUS多个成员公司直接参与的项目——近日获得了中国绿色建筑三星级认证（中国可持续性建筑最高等级认证）和2013年中国建筑工程鲁班奖。

50 5工作室的总经理迪伦·布莱迪(Dylan Brady)说：“通过政府来打通关系是相当可靠的。”

他说，中国的竞争环境正在发生变化，但拥有利基专长以及总是跟随市场走向来“武装”自己，是取得长期成功的关键。

布莱迪先生说：“市场在不断变化，我们也是如此。”

“中国市场的多元化速度加快了许多，甚至超过了市场本身的反应速度。品牌的意义对于建筑行业来说也是相当重要的。虽然我们还未将品牌建立起来，但我们现在所处的平台，已经是高于那些还没有在中国争取到任何项目的公司了。”

市场变化的其中一点，是向医疗保健领域进军。

505工作室目前为新加坡黄廷方综合医院医院（拥有1000个床位）担当全新的空气循环系统的设计顾问——这是该公司在东南亚的首份合同。

该项目着眼于如何改善病房的布局，以提高患者和工作人员的舒适度。通过重新调整6人间和12人间的病房，505工作室已将病房的自然通风率提高了200%。每一位住院患者都一扇窗能看到花园以及呼吸自然清新的空气。这项设计考虑到了新加坡炎热潮湿的气候，只有流动的空气才能制造自然凉爽的效果。

布莱迪先生说：“我们很想参与到中国的医院项目中。作为建筑师，我们的终极目的是设计出世界级的优秀作品。我们最大的目标是设计一座能够提高全民参与性的城市。”

布莱迪先生表示，中国的竞争环境已经变了。他说，中国本地开发项目极少邀请海外人士参与，客户成熟度也日益提高。

“我们真正的优势是个人的关注度和对工作的激情。对工作的激情是很容易感染其他人的。”

Betadam先生在长达11年的在华工作中注意到了竞争的变化。一部分是全球金融危机后，一大批欧洲建筑师涌入中国，还有就是中国当地设计公司的崛起。

Betadam先生说：“外国公司和当地设计公司之间的关系并没有改变——但是当地设计公司之间的合作方式发生了变化。中国本地设计公司现正寻求与更多外国公司建立合作伙伴关系——例如从项目开始一直共事到项目结束；而不是仅仅在项目竣工时得到的合规性审批。”

他说，中国设计公司正不断寻求与外国公司合作的机会，从而提高自己的实力，有时他们会降低费用来换取学习或是接触利基市场的机会。

BIM技术（建筑信息模型技术）是另一个为外国公司创造利基机会的要点，它能让所有建筑构件所包含的信息同时具有建筑或工程的数据。

BIM技术是昂贵的，并需要拥有专业技能的人来操作。

Betadam先生说：“中国的开发商渴望拥有这项技术，但目前还未能实现。这是十分高精的技术，也是我们掌握的一项优势。”

Betadam先生表示，与其互相将对方视为竞争对手，澳大利亚的企业应该开展更加紧密的合作，来扩大影响力。

“在开发商的世界里，实力平庸的公司只能担当无名小卒的角色，”Betadam先生说：“‘希望’并不是一项战略。”

他还强调了在中国市场站稳脚跟的重要性。

“在中国蕴藏着许多人们察觉不到的机会。在中国居住，你会爱上这里快节奏，当‘空中飞人’只是日常工作的一部分。”

建筑专题——澳大利亚建筑在中国


黄廷方综合总医院。病房大楼的西立面外景，左侧为私人病房区域，右侧则为医疗福利补贴病房区域。

黄廷方综合总医院。外部近景：拥有多个床位，自然通风，和外部花园的医疗福利补贴病房楼。

505工作室 — 建筑 • 艺术 • 自然起航未来建筑之境

42 AUSTRALIA CHINA CONNECTIONS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

可持续建筑技术专家

建成于2009年的Pixel像素大厦，获澳洲

绿色建筑委员会颁发史无前例的105/105满分

绿星评级，亦是澳洲认证的首个碳中和建筑

项目，同时夺得美国绿色建筑协会的领先能

源与环境设计(LEED)最高等级奖。其得分纪

录迄今仍未被超越。它为505工作室带来许多

赞誉，令公司整个设计及施工团队，在其他

结构设计及技术运用上取得了不少的可持续

性创新和进步。

Pixel像素大厦的完美峻工令505工作室在

全球声名大噪，随后荣登备受推崇的美国《

绿色来源期刊》封面，使这间新锐的澳洲建

筑师事务所升价不少。该大厦的独特设计亦

大大帮助推动团队创新，为项目所在的城市

面貌和社区文化，亦带来优良贡献。

505工作室从结合建筑与艺术为原点，建

立明确的专长技能和想像力，尤其在建筑外

墙范畴上；他们称之为「艺术外墙」，当中

以获奖的澳洲布里斯班的 Wintergarden 冬季

花园购物中心为个中表现佼佼者。这幅梦幻

「画布」以七彩缤纷的 LED 照明，辅以激光

切割和手工折叠的仙境花园图案，加上巨型蝴

蝶浮雕横跨市中心的三面街道，同时创造出一

个品牌、地标及艺术品。

在2009年，505工作室获邀参加两大设计

竞赛-中国江苏省常州市武进区文化中心及大

剧院和设有千张床位的新加坡大型医院。505

工作室首先透过与同行 CPG 及HOK 合作，携

手赢得新加坡黄廷芳综合医院新病房大楼的

国际设计比赛，对自然通风的多床型病房赋

予大胆、简单而深远的新构想。让每位病人

都享有自己窗户为原则，设计完成整个病房

大楼图册，包括花圃、自然通风、遮阳及与

其他建筑物的邻接，创造真正独特及更宽敞

的疗养环境。

中国武进凤凰谷

事务所随后赢得现已峻工的常州凤凰谷

项目的建筑、室内设计、景观设计和外墙

美化竞赛。这个面积达6万2千平方米的文

化区域，设有武进大剧院，四间电影院、

艺术画廊、零售店面、体育舞蹈中心，及

能容纳4000名学生的青少年活动中心。此

项目最近还荣获中国建筑工程界久负盛名

的鲁班奖。由于採用为 Pixel像素大厦研发及

应用的各种主动及被动环保技术，凤凰谷

已获得中国内地3星级评级认证；包括种植

绿色屋顶、建筑整合太阳能/光伏建筑一

体化、自然通风和大规模中水循环系统。

凤凰谷项目是一组大型彷地质建筑群，青草覆

盖的山地围绕着中央的多功能建筑物，呈现

如宝石般的艺廊。将栽种好的植物以花开图案

植入外墙，使绿色由屋顶延伸至整个外墙面。

武进大剧院的设计灵感，来自蝉壳象征性

的逻辑和形态。蝉在中国是长寿的象征，代

表重生和生命永恒。设计团队将此概念连想

到每一次戏剧或歌剧奇幻世界的开始，等同

再生和创造。内部构造及设计，以折纸般的

昆虫翅膀及触须为概念基础，运用装上了LED

的波浪形半透明声学及视觉挡板，构成重叠

呈流线的镶板内墙。

莲花怒放-武进规划会展中心

就在凤凰谷的马路对面，武进城市规划展

览馆与其邻居截然不同，但同样令人印象深

刻。该地标由三朵各35米高的莲花状建筑组

成，设有展览区和会议室，在风景优美的公园

内，看来就是浮在面积一万平方米湖泊中央的

巨莲。项目构想是一座可供人于内部活动的巨

大雕塑,成为当地人及旅客谋杀菲林的地标。

建筑 • 艺术 • 自然起航未来建筑之境成立于2003年，总部位于澳洲墨尔本的 studio505建筑设计事务所（简称：505工作室），在董事总经理狄伦 • 布莱迪及德克 • 齐默尔曼的二人带领之下，在近年推出了一些当今最具创新性和想像力的建筑项目。最惹人注目，要数屡获殊荣的澳洲六星级无碳绿建筑 Pixel像素大厦，及苏州科技文化艺术中心 (SSCAC) 的22,000平方米金属外墙。

Ng Teng Fong General Hospital 黄廷方综合医院

Wintergarden 冬季花园

Pixel像素馆

Phoenix Valley 凤凰谷

Phoenix Valley Grand Theatre 凤凰谷大剧院

505工作室 — 建筑 • 艺术 • 自然起航未来建筑之境


湖泊本身启发莲花状设计－泛花于湖边，

代表三种美态：初蕊含羞、成熟及蕴育莲蓬

绽放。

莲花馆看似没有入口，因其不是由地面进

入，而是要通过设在湖底的入口；从湖底入

口出来,展现眼的是雄伟的中央莲蓬部分-高

耸的十层高楼及一览无垠的蓝天美景。整个

荷花固态外表面是由马赛克砖舖成，边缘部

分用不锈钢小块砖顺滑地伸延到波光粼粼的

湖里。

与武进项目类似的园林景观及花卉设计且

由505工作室策划的沃瑞塔工作室，是一个由

飞利浦庄森景观设计与弗莱明苗圃园艺联手

设计的澳洲花园，在被喻为园艺界中的奥林

匹克－第100届英国切尔西花卉和园艺展中夺

得「最优秀展园」大奖。在2013年常州武进

举行的中国花卉博览会中，澳洲花园以代表

澳洲维多利亚省花卉展园的形式再度参展。

505工作室对每个项目均凝聚心神、精力

与智慧。目前，他们刚完成位于马来西亚马

六甲的汉学院的设计；并在中国内地开展数

个豪华零售及度假村项目，以及在墨尔本的

两幢高层新式公寓楼项目设计。相信其中一

些项目亦再次会以花卉作为设计概念。

505工作室电话: +61 3 9670 2322 电邮: [email protected] 网址: www.studio505.com.au

The Waratah Studio 特洛皮花房

Wujin Lotus Conference Centre 武进莲花会展中心

Wujin Lotus Conference Centre 武进莲花会展中心

FIIG证券（以下简称FIIG）是澳大利亚最大的固定收益专家，引导海内外投资者直接进入澳洲债券市场。

本公司受澳大利亚证券和投资委员会（ASIC）监督，在澳洲市场坐拥稳固的地位和服务独特的美誉，热情为投资者提供广泛的投资选择，理财方式和进入市场的方法。

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一，FIIG能够接触到大量政府及半政府债券。

政府债券对于申请重大投资者签证（SIV）的人来说极为理想，也是澳大利亚资本市场中风险最低的投资项目，给投资者带来高水平的流动资金及资本稳定性。不同于其他证券，政府债券不跟经济状况直接挂钩；因此，投资者的选择面更广，在经济低迷的情况下也更有保障。

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企业债券，短期存款和现金投资

FIIG还能带领投资者进入企业债券市场、定期存款及其他现金投资市场；我们的固定收益专家团队能够针对目前各种政

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若想了解更多有关FIIG证券和澳大利亚的固

定收益市场的信息，请与我们联系:

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投资澳大利亚政府债券澳洲最具实力的固定收益专家帮到您

Mark Paton - FIIG CEO

随着澳大利亚的现金利率降到历史最低水平，出租房屋闲置率紧缩，以及租金收益极具吸引力——尤其是一居室和两居室公寓房——澳大利亚楼市日显活力便是人们预料中之事。

澳大利亚统计局最近公布的住房融资数据证实了这一点：9月份经季节性因素调整后，投资房屋贷款上升了5.2％。该月住房投资总值为1.31亿澳元。

澳大利亚的投资市场是由本地开发项目投资组合、持有永久居留权的海外投资者（因此不受外国投资审查委员会的限制）、以及一般海外投资者所组成的。海外投资者必须获得外国投资审查委员会批准才能在澳大利亚买房，通常他们能在新的住房开发区买到单位房（units）、联排别墅（townhouses）和独栋房（house）。

根据维多利亚州房地产协会在2013年10月份的研究数据显示，整个墨尔本市以及部分边远地区中心城市如Geelong和Bendigo的租房市场都出现紧缩的现象，这对投资者来说是个好消息。墨尔本的出租房闲置率从（去年）9月份的2.9%下降到2.7%。这是整个2013年最低的数字。墨尔本还被被评为全球最适宜居住的城市。

2013年10月墨尔本内城的出租房闲置率仅为2.9 %（9月份为3.1%）。出租房闲置率连续两个月下降——8月份为4.7% 。

维多利亚州远郊的租房市场紧缩率最高。远郊地区的出租房闲置率从9月份的2.5%下降到1.8%。距离墨尔本CBD 20公里以外的区域，出租房闲置率仅为1.2%。

2013年10月的租房市场相关数据表明，墨尔本市内城区、中部地区和远郊地区的房屋租金正处增长阶段，这对投资者来说也是一大好消息。增幅最大的区域是墨尔本内城区，每周房屋租金从9月份的510澳元（高于中位数）上升到10月份的521澳元。墨尔本中部地区房租中位数上涨了9澳元，达到每周379澳元；远郊地区房租中位数上涨了5澳元，达到每周350澳元。

公寓租金较为稳定，但在截至2013年9月的REIV年度房屋销售及租赁数据显示，租金回报率最高的通常为一居室或两居室的公寓。

事实上，投资墨尔本房地产的前三位最佳选项都是一居室公寓——墨尔本一居室平均租金回报率是5%。相比之下，两居室公寓平均租金回报率是4.4%。

特约专栏——维多利亚州房地产协会


墨尔本租房市场日显活力


Enzo Raimondo维多利亚州房地产协会CEO

墨尔本城市规划新战略


墨尔本新战略宜居性更长久机遇更多元

墨尔本以其城市宜居性著称，在过去三年均被经济学人智库（The Economist Intelligence Unit Survey）宜居城市调查报告提名为“全球最适宜居住的城市”。要保持城市的适宜居住性，同时还要呈纳人口迅速以及不断的增长是一项极其艰巨的挑战，维多利亚州政府去年公布的大都市规划新战略（Metropolitan Planning Strategy）《墨尔本规划》（Plan Melbourne）也提到了这一点。

墨尔本始建于1835年，由于“淘金热”吸引了大批来自中国的移民，这个城市迅速发展为澳大利亚最主要的大城市之一。眼下，墨尔本是澳大利亚的第二大城市，也是发展速度最快的城市，人口数量为425万。墨尔本是全澳运输和制造业中心，拥有全澳最大的海运货柜港口；墨尔本是维多利亚州的州府；维州是澳大利亚人口最密集的农业之州。墨尔本的教育、金融、文化和旅游等行业吸引了来自世界各地的顶尖人才。

墨尔本市优越的生活、工作和投资环境也受到了全球各地人士的青睐。墨尔本的城市规模在过去十年内扩大了约四分之一，预计在2050年，墨市将增添人口250万。由此，墨尔本很有可能取代悉尼，成为澳大利亚人口最多的城市。

James Larmour-ReidPlanisphere规划公司董事

Gerard CouttsGerard Coutts and Associates

规划公司董事总经理

挑战

墨尔本市增长的规模和速度也许有异于中国的许多城市，但其发展方式给这座城市带来了特殊的挑战。这是因为我们要维持墨市的城市宜居性。墨尔本人对构成城市宜居性的元素（环境、文化遗产、生活方式及其它）有着强烈的保护意识。鉴于此，墨尔本的宜居城市政策受到了全世界的关注。

《墨尔本规划》认识到这些重要的元素，并确定了通过严谨的规划、基础设施投资、治理及监管所需要解决的关键问题。交通拥堵、住房负担能力、服务普及度、气候变化和有价值的农田的流失，都被划为需要通过新战略来解决的重点问题。

愿景

《墨尔本规划》的总体愿景是 “墨尔本将成为凝聚机遇和选择的全球化城市”。这一设想反映了保持墨尔本的活力和多样性的同时，政府欲壮大墨尔本国际地位和声誉的雄心。虽然该愿景没有直接提到宜居性、可持续发展或环境问题，但是当人们审视发展战略的详细的成果和方向时，这些主题是显而易见的。

《墨尔本规划》中提到的主要措施和投资机会包括：

• 对墨尔本市中心进行大规模扩张，以创造澳大利亚最大的城市重建区和就业中心；

• 在城市的东南面对一座港口进行升级，以作为墨尔本港的补充；

•对中心城市的公路和铁路基础设施进行修缮；•增添远郊的公路和铁路路线，包括Geelong和全国

货运走廊之间的连接；•可能在城市东南边建造一座新的机场。

为了保持城市宜居性以及增强可持续性，《墨尔本规划》提出，要对业已界定为城市重建区实施引导性发展，同时限制敏感地区的变化，提供更多休憩用地和保护生物多样性的地区。 “新的城市结构”所注重的增长和变更包括：

•扩展了的中心城市；•六个“全国就业网络”将集中在墨尔本各大高

校、医疗专区、以及高科技制造业与研发地区；•十一个“都市活动中心”都拥有优质的公共交通

网络；•维多利亚州重大工业区和交通枢纽；•界定了的城市重建区；•医疗和教育专区。

墨尔本最大的优势之一，就是她在维多利亚州所处的中心位置以及与州内各地发达的连接网络。《墨尔本规划》旨在通过改善边远地区交通、整合城市和区域规划，促进政府提出的“城市之州”的增长，从而强化墨尔本的多项优势。这反映了政府在接下来几十年发展边远地区的最坚定的承诺，从而发展维州强大的农业、旅游、资源、交通和可再生能源领域。预计在未来40年内，墨尔本城市以外的人口将增长超过200万。这将需要对基础设施、住房、零售及商业楼面、服务业和旅游业发展进行新的投资。

结论

《墨尔本规划》为墨尔本制定了宏伟的目标，一项将确定该城市国际地位和形象的目标。这一目标的实现将需要来自各级政府的合作、大量的私人投资、缜密的治理安排，以及墨尔本市民的不懈参与。

这一战略听起来很简单，但要为正确的发展方向和方位获得批准，是需要对复杂的政策和规划调控进行透彻的了解的。随着越来越多的墨尔本家庭都使用普通话（增长最为迅速的非英语语言），需满足高标准的宜居性和设计质量的房产市场极其红火，并正不断壮大。

维多利亚州政府目前正在审查为响应2013年规划草案所提交的各种意向书。最终规划案预计将在2014年初实行。

欲知大都市规划新战略的更多信息，请登录网站www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au查询。

根据澳大利亚旅游调查局(Tourism Research Australia)的最新数据显示，超过80%的中国游客认为他们的澳大利亚旅游体验达到或超过了预想效果。

在2013，澳大利亚旅游调查局对3600名来澳旅游的中国游客进行了采访，其中90%的游客对澳洲旅行表示满意， 83%的人说他们的行程达到或超出预期效果。令人欣喜的是，85%的中国游客表示有可能向其他人推荐澳大利亚作为度假目的地。

绝大多数中国游客表示，澳大利亚的自然环境和宜居性是他们向亲友推荐澳洲的主要原因。

澳大利亚安全的环境以及友好的澳洲人也获得高度的评价，96%的中国游客对他们在澳的人身安全表示相当满意，94%的人非常赞赏澳洲本地人热情好客的态度。

中国游客非常看重澳大利亚的自然环境，65%的中国游客希望能体会澳洲的大自然，26%的人想与澳洲野生动物互动。几乎一半的中国游客认为，原生态的自然环境是澳大利亚最大的看点。总体而言，93%希望体验大自然的中国游客都在澳洲玩得宾至如归。

其它令游客满意的关注点包括：澳大利亚的旅游景点（77%），品尝葡萄酒（72%），澳洲饮食（69%）。“消费物有所值以及购物体验”排位不高，仅有50%的中国游客对在澳洲购物感到满意。自由行游客的旅行满意度要高于旅行团游客。

澳大利亚贸易与投资部部长安德鲁•罗伯(Andrew Robb)表示，这项调查结果证实了澳大利亚旅游业优越的质量，并极大鼓舞了所有旅游业界人士进一步吸引中国游客。

2012到2013年间，有685000名中国游客来澳旅游，这个数字比前一个年度上升了18%。在2013年，中国游客在澳大利亚总共消费44亿澳元。预计到了2022-2023年度，中国游客人数将增至140万人，预估将消费82亿澳元。

罗伯先生说，政府致力于为澳大利亚旅游业寻求更多外商直接投资，充分利用澳大利亚的自然优势，从而发展高端豪华旅游住宿。

罗伯先生说：“我们经过审慎的研究，了解到中国不断扩大的中产阶级人群正在追求高端豪华旅游体验，一旦我们拥有适合的基础设施，澳大利亚将完全有条件为人们提供豪华旅游资源。”

澳大利亚旅游调查局首席经济学家Leo Jago博士表示，该报告结果为澳大利亚旅游业打了一剂强心针。

Jago博士说：“这意味着大多数中国游客都可能向他们的家人和朋友推荐澳大利亚作为度假目的地。”

他说：“国外游客对澳大利亚的经济作出了重要贡献。中国是增长最快的澳大利亚入境游市场，来自中国的游客在澳大利亚的消费额最高。”

旅游新闻


旅游澳洲超越想象


根据澳大利亚旅游调查局的最新调查数据显示，澳大利亚的旅游环境不断超越中国游客的期望值。《连接中澳》主编罗心梦报道。

维多利亚州大洋路（维州旅游局Mark Watson摄影)

与澳洲野生动物互动对中国游客来说是一大看点（大洋路，维州旅游局Mark Watson)

游览澳洲葡萄酒庄是另一个吸引中国游客的亮点（图：新南威尔士州猎人谷古城堡酒庄，

澳大利亚旅游局 Richard Powers摄影)

中国游客对澳洲大自然高度推崇，因此，维多利亚州和新南威尔士州以外的州和领域，都应当把握住机遇，开发新的旅游市场。

查尔斯·达尔文大学（Charl e s Darwin University）的高级研究员曾本祥博士说，该调查结果应该会促使北领地为迎接即将剧增的中国游客做好准备。

曾博士表示，北领地要摆正自己的位置，以便更好地迎接中国游客。中国入境游市场于北领地在未来几年将蓄势待发。

曾博士说：“言下之意，我们将要与庞大的数字、难逢的机遇，以及巨额的消费打交道了。”

去年，大约有九十万名大中华地区的旅客来到澳大利亚，但只有大概13000人去北领地旅游。

曾博士说：“我本人对‘北领地之类的地区该如何迎接中国游客’这样的问题进行了许多思考。”

他很赞同对中国游客大力推广亲近

自然的旅游主题。

曾博士说：“调查结果显示，大约65%的中国游客渴望在澳大利亚获得这样的旅游体验。他们喜欢远离拥挤的城市，去原生态的自然环境以及体验异国文化。”

“我知道其它地区正在努力发展中国的游客市场，但是绝大多数中国人仍旧只认识悉尼和墨尔本。”

曾博士认为，对中文资讯的投资——包括互联网讯息、印刷品、音像制品、公共场所的指示牌，以及中文在社交媒体的渗透率——都是北领地向中国游客自我推广的有效措施。

旅游新闻


澳洲野生动物是吸引中国游客的主要要素（图：西澳大利亚州Esperance海滩上的袋鼠，


根据根据澳大利亚旅游调查局调查显示，中国游客向往在澳获得亲近大自然之旅（图：维多利亚州大洋路“十二门徒”巨石奇观，


宁静的自然体验—与袋鼠共进午餐（图：南澳大利亚州穆拉玛兰国家公园南岸Pebbly海滩，

澳大利亚旅游局 Ian Butterworth摄影)

拥有丰富自然资源和美景的北领地将成为中国游客的下一个旅游热门地（图：北领地澳洲中部野外，

澳大利亚旅游局 James Fisher摄影)

在2013年，ACAA迎来了第10,000名会员，作为一个在2007年成立的组织，在短短的时间有如此迅速的成长实属不易。我们的第10,000名幸运会员是现居上海的新南威尔士大学校友陈晓女士，ACAA希望借此机会感谢所有校友、朋友以及我们34所合作大学长期以来的支持和鼓励。我们希望在2014年继续扩大校友网络，将ACAA发展成为中国最大最好的海外校友组织。

在2013年，ACAA在中国十所城市组织了130多场活动，其中最突出的是我们连续五年举办的ACAA澳中校友奖活动。超过250名校友和朋友参加了11月2日在北京举办的校友奖晚宴，我们邀请到通用电气大中华及蒙古区总裁、昆士兰大学校友夏智诚(Mark Hutchinson)先生为活动致开场辞，摩根大通中国区主席兼首席执行官、墨尔本大学校友邵子力先生获得了2013澳中年度校友奖。

ACAA在过去的一年里参与并引荐校友代

表参加了多场高端会议，其中有代表性的包括：

·同前澳洲总督Quentin Bryce女士的会见

·同前澳洲总理Julia Gillard的晚宴·维州校友与维州州长Denis Napthine

的会见·首都领地校友与ACT首席部长Katy

Gallagher、澳大利亚国立大学和堪培拉大学校长的会见

ACAA不仅在北京和上海等传统校友聚集地区举办活动，并且在广州、香港、天津、南京、昆明、成都、苏州、墨尔本和悉尼也逐渐发展壮大，不仅包括组织校友参加滑雪项目、澳中国家篮球对抗赛、Uni Games校友球赛等娱乐项目，还包括澳商会上海的校友讲座、青年精英社交聚会、银行金融业界酒会以及职业发展活动等一系列职业社交活动。

在2013年末，我们在广州、北京、上海、南京和成都举办了一系列具有澳洲风情的圣诞节派对，吸引了850多名校友和朋友参加。

在2014年，ACAA在中国华南地区将有进一步的发展，我们广州办公室将迎来最新的成员Iris Huang，她是广州本地人，获得广州大学的工商管理学士学位以及昆士兰大学的商学硕士（市场）学位。她将专注于发展广州校友网络，并会关注深圳、香港等周边地区的发展。

我们准备在新的一年里对ACAA做出许多创新，包括为会员提供会员卡以及其他特权。我们准备开通在线支付系统，并且上线ACAA微信平台，为广大校友提供便利，让大家能够实时接收最新的活动讯息。

ACAA团队再次祝愿大家新春快乐，马年再相见！

澳中同学联谊会


回顾2013，展望2014新年伊始，ACAA为各位带来美好的祝愿，并希望借此机会回顾我们在2013年的成就，展望2014马年的愿景。

ACAA Gold Partners

ACAA Silver Partners

2013年度ACAA澳中校友奖获奖者

首届Uni Game校友球赛


前澳总督Quentin Bryce在校友奖会场澳洲外长毕晓普在北京与澳洲学生会面

新南威尔士州大学校友与王爱华教授（中）合影

教育：VCE在中国


墨尔本黑利伯瑞学校是澳大利亚规模最大，以及

最古老的学校之一，拥有超过120年的历史。今年

9月份，本校将在天津武清开设黑利伯瑞国际学校

（距离北京市中心45分钟车程）。

黑利伯瑞国际学校将教授维多利亚考试证书

（VCE）课程。学生可以通过VCE直接入读澳大利亚

大学，同时也可以申请美国和英国的高等学府。在

维多利亚州政府的支持下，黑利伯瑞在中国开展VCE

课程已有10年，并成功地发展成帮助中国学生考取

海外高校的捷径。

学校设施由合作方北京首创集团尽心建设，并将

成为展示澳大利亚教育的巅峰之作。墨尔本黑利伯

瑞本部的尼古拉斯杜瓦尔博士将担任国际学校的第

一任校长。他将和黑利伯瑞的老师们共同协作，发

展该国际学校的项目。

了解更多信息请致电400-6680-900。

网站：www.cn-haileybury.com

黑利伯瑞学校在中国开设国际学校

为何选择私人医疗保险?

世界各国的医疗保健系统各有不相同。如果

您正计划前往澳大利亚经商或旅游，您必须对

澳洲的医保体系进行了解，因为也许在访澳期

间，您需要购买私人医疗保险。

Medicare

Medicare是澳大利亚的公费医疗，是所有

澳大利亚公民和永久居民都能享受到的全民医

保。Medicare能减免澳洲人的部分医疗费用。然

而，如果您持有的是临时签证，您也许没有享

受公费医疗的资格，除非您来自与澳大利亚签

订了《医疗保健互惠协议》的国家。当涉及到

医院治疗费用时，Medicare一般不会免除您自己

所选择的医生的出诊费，某些需要列入等待名

单的医疗项目也不能得到减免。

《医疗保健互惠协议》

有一部分国家已经与澳大利亚签订协议，让

该国公民在旅澳过程中享受Medicare的部分福

利。与澳大利亚签订了《医疗保健互惠协议》

的国家包括比利时、芬兰、爱尔兰、意大利、

马耳他、荷兰、新西兰、挪威、斯洛文尼亚、

瑞典和英国。请注意：中华人民共和国尚未与

澳大利亚签署《医疗保健互惠协议》。

如果您在澳大利亚工作并持有《医疗保健

互惠协议》名下的医保卡，您可能还需支付医

疗附加费（MLS）。医疗附加费是医疗保险税（

这是大多数澳大利亚纳税人都需支付的）的额

外税收。欲知您是否符合条件、Medicare能为

您提供的福利水平、您是否必须支付医疗附加

费，请拨打Medicare客服热线：132 011（澳洲

境内）或拨打+61 2 6124 6333（澳洲境外）。

私人医疗保险

如果您没有Medicare或从中受益甚微，您可

以考虑购买私人医疗保险。根据不同的私人医

保套餐，您可以自由选择医生、就医的时间或

地点、私立或公立的医院。您还可以享受私人

执业医生或专家会诊。此外，您可以将牙科、

眼科和理疗等项目加进私人医保套餐内。

对旅澳的游客以及学生来说，签证申请要求

之一，便是购买可靠的私人医疗保险。此外，

购买了私人医疗保险也有助您免交医疗附加

费。欲知更多私人医保信息，请联系保柏

澳大利亚境内 134 135 澳洲境外 +61 3 9487 6400 www.bupa.com.au/overseas

澳大利亚联邦政府正在对医疗附加费的征收规定进行修改，新规定将于2013年7月1日生效。欲知这项改革将对您的2012-2013财政年度作出怎样的影响，请

在2013年7月1日后联系澳大利亚税务办公室。

根据20 1 3年度《在华商业认知调查》(2013 China Business Perception Survey)的结果显示，在大中华地区营业的澳洲公司对未来一年在中国的商业前景表示乐观，并期望在华业务继续增长。

这份由澳大利亚商会中国分会(Australian Chamber of Commerce in China)和澳大利亚贸易委员会(Australian Trade Commission)制作的联合报告发现，83％的受访人士对中国内地经济在未来12个月内的整体前景持乐观态度——相比2012年的调查结果有所上升。

澳洲商会上海分部、北京分部、华西分部、华南分部和港澳分部的会员在去年10月和11月之间接受了调查访问(Sweeny Research survey)。

95%的受访者在中国大陆工作，包括上海、广东和北京这三大最受欢迎的地区在内。三分之一的受访者在香港和澳门地区工作。

受访者给予的答复表明，在大中华地区营业的澳洲企业对在华开展生意更有信心——上一年度的调查中，有七成的受访者对中国经济前景感到乐观。

超过一半的受访者表示， 2013的企业利润比2012更高；相比2012年同期的利润亦是高于2011年。

四分之三的企业表示，他们很可能会在未来五年内扩大中国的业务，他们中的三分之二期望在未来两年内扩展业务。

一线城市北京和上海，是澳洲企业最有可能进行扩大业务的地区，广东和香港紧随其后。中西部城市重庆和四川省——中国政府积极推动对该地区的投资和极度重视该地区的经济增长——相比起浙江和江苏等传统东部沿海省份，更有可能获得计划扩大的澳企的青睐。

澳洲企业扩展业务的驱动力包括：获得更多客户( 53 ％)和扩大产能以满足需求(47％)。计划将业务向中国西部扩展的企业，显示了获取更多客户是扩张的主因( 76％)。

尽管人们总体看法乐观，但五分之四的受访企业表示，竞争对手在过去12个月内已有所增加。最强劲的竞争来自中国大陆本地的竞争对手，以及中国外资企业。

接受访问的在华澳企业务增长的主要障碍包括：技术过硬的员工的人数较少，公司运营状况缺乏透明度，以及不明确的监管环境。

然而，调查结果还显示，在中国经营的澳大利亚公司的主要竞争优势为：产品和服务的质量、客户关系、产品数量和创新程度。

澳大利亚贸易委员会首席经济学家

Mark Thirlwell表示，对在华澳企开展定期研究，对理解澳中贸易关系和发展长期策略制定来说，至关重要。

Thirlwell先生说：“中国是澳大利亚最大的贸易伙伴，去年超过四分之一的澳洲商品和服务贸易对象就是中国。中国也是外商直接投资的日益重要的来源地和目的地。”

“因此，澳大利亚企业更加需要了解他们在中国将面临的机遇以及约束。今年的调查结果很好地显示了某些企业是如何看待中国经济前景的，以及他们面临的障碍。”

澳洲商会上海分会主席戴碧特(Peter Arkell)说，该调查是一个实战检验。

戴碧特先生说：“中国经济状况以及它对澳洲的影响有很多书面和口头的描述，但往往那些都是过去人们观察所得，已经与中国眼下的现实状况脱节了。”

“澳大利亚商会在大中华地区占尽地利，能追踪到真正的澳洲企业在中国当下的经济环境中的生存状况，并为广大澳洲业界提供有利信息。”

澳洲商会华南分会主席Kevin Li先生表示，该调查应对澳洲企业想要“在中国经济增长模式的主要变革中取得成功”，提供了积极主动的战略方法。

特约专栏——维多利亚州房地产协会


在华澳洲企业前景乐观


2012年11月24日，澳大利亚政府宣布了一项商业创新和投资签证项目中的一种新签证类型：重大投资者签证。

申请人必须：•递交移民意向，并且收到申请签证的邀请。•通过州政府或者领地政府提名•对符合条件的投资项目至少投资500万澳元。

申请人不需要满足打分系统的评估，没有年龄上限的限制及英语要求。此签证类型要求申请人在持有商业创新和投资(临时)188签证的四年时间内必须在澳大利亚居住达160天。

签证持有人还可以将其临时签证延长两年，最多可以允许延长两次。

在2013年10月21日MIA年会上，移民部长Scott Morrison先生对重大投资者签证的未来做出了点评。

移民部长表示政府对于该项目持积极态度，并且有强有力的计划来推动该项目，因其能吸引重大投资来刺激澳大利亚的经济、增加就业机会并且增加收入。

Morrison部长提到，他要删除该项目中模糊的，多余的那些条条框框，把所有让人迷惑或者不确定的因素都移除出去，这样就能加快重大投资者签证的审理速度。

他还特别提到他会带着新的观点来重新审视重大投资者签证项目的投资标准，那就是需要更灵活的渠道来增加用于创业、小型和中型生意的资本。

部长认为该项目并不是简简单单投资500万澳元到澳大利亚，而是为澳大利亚提供投资者。这些投资者不仅能够投入最初的资本，还能持续为澳大利亚生产财富。

移民部长提到，重大投资者签证项目的居住时间要求也应该着眼于副申请人以及主申请人的家庭成员，因为“我们发现，家庭能让他们在澳大利亚稳定下来。”

对于该项目的任何改变都会经过政府的深思熟虑之后才会推行，不过在审理时

间上已经有一个大的进步了。

澳大利亚移民协会MIA能怎样帮助潜在的申请者：

如果要获得重大投资者签证，您必须通过注册移民代理来申请。在澳大利亚，移民代理必须在移民代理注册管理办公室(MARA)注册。

通过该链接可以轻松找到富有经验的注册移民代理：http://mia.org.au。

符合条件的投资项目

符合重大投资者签证要求的投资项目包括：联邦、州或者领地政府债券; 澳大利亚证券与投资委员会(ASIC)监管且投资于澳大利亚的管理基金;对于澳大利亚的私营公司进行直接投资。

签证申请人可持有上述任一类别的投资,也可更换符合条件的投资项目,前提是必须符合所规定的再投资要求。

投资及持有必须符合如下条件：•由申请人单独或与其配偶或事实伴侣直接共同投资持有;或•通过全部发行股归申请人单独或与配偶或事实伴侣共有的公司;或•通过托管人与受益人包括申请人或其配偶或事实伴侣的有效托管基金。

SkillSelect

SkillSelect是一项在线服务，它让有意移民澳洲的技术工人、商人或者投资者在申请技术签证前，于网上填写个人详细信息并提交移民意向表达（Expression of Interest ）, 让与特定签证类别相匹配的有关个人信息记载在该系统上。

商业创新和投资(临时)签证的申请人需要在澳大利亚登记其投资计划，符合条件的申请人一旦通过州或者领地政府的提名，他们将收到澳大利亚政府的邀请进而落实申请签证。

请参考： www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/

由澳大利亚证券及投资委员会(ASIC)监管的基金

针对重大投资者签证的ASIC监管管理基金,是指由澳大利亚证券与投资管理委员会监管且符合《2001年公司法》规定的管理投资计划。该基金的任何发行权益,不得在金融市场上交易,且在《澳大利亚金融服务许可证》范围内经营。

对ASIC监管管理基金的投资,包括通过“投资者导向组合服务”(Investor Directed Portfolio Service)的任何投资。

ASIC监管管理基金的投资必须符合移民部长以法律文书方式书面指定的投资类别,方可作为符合条件的投资项目。

这些类别包括:•澳大利亚基础设施项目•澳大利亚存款吸纳机构持有的现金•联邦或州或领地政府发行的债券•在澳大利亚证券交易所上市之公司和信托基金的债券、股票、混合型证券或其他公司

债务

•澳大利亚金融机构发行的债券或定期存款•澳大利亚房地产 ;以及•澳大利亚农企业。

管理基金必须面向普通大众,且基金管理人必须在1413表上提供合规声明,声明其业务仅限于部长以法律文书方式书面指定的澳大利亚投资类别。

对澳大利亚私营公司的直接投资

对澳大利亚私人公司的直接投资,必须符合如下标准,方可作为“符合条件的投资项目”:•公司必须在澳大利亚真实经营符合条件的生意•申请人必须获得公司所有者权益•公司必须在ASIC注册登记;以及•公司必须持有澳大利亚商业代码。

更多相关信息请登陆： www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/whats-new.htmwww.mia.org.au电子邮件: [email protected]

特约专栏——澳大利亚移民协会


目的地澳大利亚：重大投资者签证翻译：杨度

有一句俗话这样说道：如果想在葡萄酒行业赚取一点蝇头小利，那么你从一开始就要舍得投入巨资！也有些人说买了一座葡萄园或酒庄后往往不是无利可图的问题，而更多是如何才能避免自己血本无归，颗粒无收。因为这个行业对资金投入的要求颇高，投资回报率又太低，只有在若干年之后才有可能够扭亏为盈。

在过去几年中，越来越多的中国投资者正在不断尝试投资或直接购买澳大利亚的葡萄园和酒庄。原因是多方面的。有些公司是为了保证葡萄酒能够长期供应给他们在中国的商业运作。而另外一些公司只想要购买一座可供“展示”的酒庄，以便向他们的中国合作伙伴证明其产品的纯正血统。同时还有那些来自中国的个人买家，通过购买酒庄固定资产作为确保其获得澳大利亚永久居留权的一种方式。

不管出于何种投资目的，购买任何种类的资产都不可能万无一失。对于每一位投资者来说——无论其来自中国或世界其它地方——总有一些关键的考虑因素需要反复斟酌。

首先，要判断你的投资动机。你是想要购买一座风景如画的葡萄园向你的客户展示，还是希望购买一份可以实际运营的资产，让你的投资得到相应回报？如果是前者，那么你购买的酒庄必须要有美不胜收的自然景色、毗邻大都市、并且在主要道路上。

但事实是：这几个方面都不能保证你能够酿造出优质的葡萄酒。如果你对酿造优质葡萄酒这件事的态度非常认真——无论是哪个价格层面——那你就需要仔细评估葡萄园的位置和它的“terroir”——这个专业术语来自法语，可译为“一个地区的感觉”，它还概括了葡萄园的气候（包括地域气候和本地气候）、土壤、地形和当时的天气。所有的厨师都心知肚明：如果在一开始只准备了质量较差的食材，那你永远也不可能烹调出山珍海味。葡萄酒也毫不例外。

仅仅基于风景秀丽和位置有利而购买一座酒庄的另一个消极后果是：你将发现自己无法和优秀的酿酒师或葡萄栽培师合作，只能退而求其次，不得不选择一些本地的二流合作方。

葡萄酒产区也是影响酒庄出售价格的一个重要因素。整个澳大利亚有65个葡萄酒产区，但被中国认可并欣赏的仅是一小部分。其中最有名的是南澳大利亚州的巴罗莎、麦嘉伦谷和古纳华拉；维多利亚州的雅拉谷和莫宁顿；和西澳大利亚州的玛格丽特河地区。这些葡萄酒产区都能够根据各自的风土条件，精心打造别具一格的独特风格，以及独一无二的葡萄品种。至关重要的一点就是：你对每片葡萄酒产区酿造的葡萄酒风格都必须了如指掌，才能确保葡萄酒成品能够满足你在中国的目标群体。例如，你的客户比较青睐酒体饱满、酒精度数高、而且口味丰富的红葡萄酒吗？那就应该在巴罗莎购买一座酒庄；或者，你的客户比较青睐更清淡、更细腻、更优雅的葡萄酒？那或许你需要在一个更加凉爽的葡萄酒产区（如雅拉谷和莫宁顿）选择一座酒庄。

一旦选定了某个葡萄酒产区，你就需要和当地的各种顾问紧密合作——如房地产经纪、工程师、规划师、律师等等，直到你找到完全符合要求的酒庄。与此同时，你还要确保和自己携手合作的都是得到当地社区高度推崇和极大肯定的专家，而不是和你在互联网上邂逅的、或是你首次访问该葡萄酒产区时认识的第一个人。这个过程可能需要相当长的一段时间，所以请你务必做好准备，耐心等待。因为“失之毫厘、差之千里”，一旦购买失误，其结果就是长期遭受不可挽回的经济损失。

要避免被一些错误的建议所误导，唯一的方法就是要让自己学会如何鉴别优质酒庄的几大主要构成因素。或者，你可以聘请若干名独立的第三方顾问来形成一份报告，将葡萄园的每一个方面都进行深入剖析——无论优势还是劣势。

您需要了解它的主导风向、日照时数、降水量、海拔高度的影响、葡萄园对阳光的朝向、遭受霜冻的可能性、以及到海洋和山脉的大致距离等。所有这些因素都会在很大程度上影响葡萄的品质。

在评估葡萄树的时候，你需要询问土壤类型、排水、根茎、品种、嫁接、棚架、行距、行向、灌溉、葡萄园管理，以及上述每个体系对种植出的葡萄会产生何种影响。仔细询问树木疾病状况和疾病控制方式，以及

昆虫和动物病虫害的防治方法。例如，某些葡萄园有一个相当头疼的问题：葡萄在收获之前就全部被鸟儿吃光了！葡萄园不得不用网布覆盖，因此产生了额外的葡萄园材料和人工费用。

土壤管理同样值得深入探讨。酒庄目前的所有人到底使用了化肥和除草剂，还是有机/生物动力法？人造的化学物质会降低土壤的健康状况和内部结构，这反过来又将影响葡萄酒成品的整体质量。要确保你能够获得所有的葡萄园喷雾制度，以及所有的害虫/疾病记录。

在澳大利亚获得水源也是一个关键因素。这个葡萄园是否已经取得了自动供水权？你是否可以在酒庄周围抽取天然水源？还是必须依靠降雨来作为灌溉水源？酒庄现有多少个水库，它们是否状态良好？澳大利亚经常遭遇漫长的干旱期。在得不到充足水源的情况下，你的葡萄树很可能损失严重。

澳大利亚某些地区还遭受到根瘤蚜的影响。这是一种螨虫，会缓慢地侵袭葡萄树根茎。如果根茎不加以保护，葡萄树就会被这种虫害破坏殆尽。你务必查明这个葡萄酒产区是否受到根瘤蚜的影响。如果这里就是根瘤蚜的活跃区域，那这个葡萄园采取了何种措施防止它的入侵？如果所有葡萄树的根茎对根瘤蚜都没有抵御力，那重新种植这个葡萄园在长远来看需要哪些方面的投资？

在土地界线、标牌、规划的公共工程、区域划分、许可证等等方面，一定要做好你的尽职调查。举例来说，几年前雅拉谷的地方议会决定沿着梅尔巴公路铺设一套新的供水管道系统，这导致很多酒庄损失了一部分他们最好的葡萄树。房地产代理和地方议会往往能够提供这类信息。

在评估完葡萄园后，还有必要对酒庄建筑及设备进行深入调查。需要指出的第一点是：拥有一栋漂亮建筑的酒庄并不能代表它酿造的葡萄酒有多么高的品质。千万不要被靓丽的外表所迷惑！

你要花钱请人来进行一次房屋检验，以检查它是否存在任何结构性损坏和危险性的建筑材料（如铅、石棉；或任何虫害问题，如白蚁）。查明这栋建筑是否能做到高效节能——澳大利亚许多新建的酒庄现在都已经在屋顶上安装了太阳能电池板，以降低整体能源成本。要了解这栋建筑采用的是何种绝缘材料，以及在葡萄收成和瓶装酒运输时，最便捷的路径在哪里。

葡萄酒专栏——购买澳洲葡萄酒庄


享受澳洲酒香？何不购买澳洲酒庄？


亨蒂巷酒庄销售与市场部总监妮可(Nikki Palun)

下一个步骤就是要获得随酒庄一同出售的生产设备的完整清单，它不仅能显示出设备的使用时间和目前状况，还能显示出设备是否仍在保修期内、或受制于共同所有权或租赁协议。有些酒庄在出售时会将全套设备一起出售，而另外一些酒庄则可能将某些设备和邻近的酒庄共同使用，或由承包商负责管理。酒庄在清洗过程中会消耗大量的水，尤其是在葡萄收成的最佳年份。分析一下目前安装的是何种废水处理系统，因为这方面会受到极其严格的政府管制。

酒庄的卫生清洁至关重要。如果有迹象表明这座酒庄的卫生条件较差，那么它很有可能会存在长期困扰的有害细菌、霉菌和酵母菌等问题，这些因素对葡萄酒的质量有百害而无一利。

不仅如此，大多数酿制葡萄酒的酒庄作为一个正常营运的公司而出售，购买者则必须接管这家公司的所有商业协议和义务，其中包括所有的劳动合同。因此，在斥资购买前和员工建立法律关系就变得极其重要。在购买的当天，所有的相关信息（如员工的工资、奖金、病假和节假日福利等）都应更新到最新数据。

库存的葡萄酒，无论是在酒缸、酒桶或酒瓶内储存，通常都不包含在出售价格里。

如果要购买这些库存，必须另行谈判。因此，库存的样品需要经过品鉴并在实验室进行独立的分析，才能确定其质量水平、目前或潜在的价值。对于尚未进行采摘工作的葡萄树所累积的任何日常支出（如修剪、喷雾等的成本），卖家可能会期望买家赔付相关费用。

应在购买前预先核实酒庄的任何商标（通常是酒庄名称）是否合法存在并受到法律保护，因为这会构成购买过程中商誉元素的重要组成部分。

如果上述所有方面都已被调查清楚，那你接下来就需要仔细检查酒庄目前所有人的财务报表。务必对该公司的财务报表安排一次独立的财务审查，以确定该公司在标准化基础上的盈利情况。举例说明：如果酒庄的目前所有人非常积极的参与日常运营，那你就需要将雇用另一个替代劳动力的额外成本计算在内。查看一下目前所有的收入和支出，并判断一旦购买这片酒庄的话，这些收支是否也会延续下去。

通过对该公司的各个方面展开尽职调查，你对公司到目前为止的运营状况也会有一些清楚的概念。一个值得信任的酒庄所有人在把酒庄放在市场上出售前，就应该将所有必要的信息都准备妥当；并且应该主动的

对你开诚布公，把任何对此次出售有潜在影响的未涉及方面向你逐一澄清。在协商过程中，常常会出现一些新的议题浮出水面（如进出通道、土地界线或环境问题等等），这些都可能导致交易达成的延迟和成交价格的增加。如果酒庄目前的所有人不愿及时透露必要的信息，这个信号往往表明本次投资可能会问题重重。

总之，购买酒庄资产需要三思而后行。虽然拥有一座葡萄园或酒庄的想法在表面看来如此吸引人，或“浪漫梦幻”，但现实却完全截然相反。投资回报率可能很低，甚至很多年下来都入不敷出。而且，公司在先期的投资之外，还需要注入大量的资金才有可能走向成功。光有热情是不能当饭吃的！

然而，对于那些真正想要投身于澳大利亚葡萄酒行业的投资者来说，所获得的回报将远远超出那份资产损益表的范畴。你的生活方式将发生潜移默化的变化，逐渐转型为彻彻底底的高品质生活——你将品尝优质的葡萄酒、品味新鲜食材烹制的美食、和一些兴趣勃勃的朋友分享经验、并且享受世界上最美丽的那道风景。

总而言之，你一定要进行最为合适的尽

职调查，高瞻远瞩，将这份丰厚的家产留给你的后人享用。

葡萄酒专栏

亨蒂巷家族葡萄园始建于1957年，并从第三代继承人开始酿制

葡萄酒。我们的葡萄园遍布澳大利亚的顶级葡萄酒区域：包括

南澳州的阿得莱德山、维多利亚州的莫宁顿半岛、和新南威尔

士州的马奇和里弗赖纳。

我们酿制的葡萄酒款式丰富、价位齐全，从入门级品质不断延

伸到顶级品质，涵盖设拉子、赤霞珠、梅洛、霞多丽和莫斯卡

托。我们同样能够酿制私人品牌的葡萄酒，以满足您任何的包

装要求。

如您有兴趣获得更多的销售信息和分销机会:

请即刻联系 Nikki Palun

电话：(AU) +61 400 616 616 或 (CN) +86 132 6042 0195

或发送电子邮件至 [email protected]

www.hentylane.com.au

Documents

Australia China Connections February March 2014 issue