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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

Australian Chinese Arts and Literature Association

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The Australian Chinese Arts and Literature Association (澳華文聯) is a cultural organization registered with the Australian federal government in 1990 to promote Chinese culture and arts in Australia. With over 30 years of programming experience, the Association has organized hundreds of cultural events including theatrical productions, television broadcasts, and festival participation. Operating through four committees (Leadership, Expert, External Liaison, and Production), the organization’s mission encompasses promoting national culture — by which it means Chinese culture — fostering social harmony, developing cultural industries, and enriching overseas Chinese life. The organization emphasizes its cultural role in building connections between the PRC and Australia, though associations raise questions, including a visit between Yu Junwu (余俊武), chairman of the Sydney arts troupe, and United Front Work Department (UFWD) director Liu Yandong (刘延东), and a meeting between the association’s leadership and UFWD Minister You Lantian (尤兰田部长). The Association has participated in major Australian festivals while hosting signature events. Notable collaborations included co-organizing a 2016 Lunar New Year gala with the Xinjiang government.

Australian Government

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The Australian Government (澳大利亞政府), also known as the Commonwealth Government or federal government, is the national executive government of the Commonwealth of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy established in 1901. Constitutionally designated as the “Government of the Commonwealth,” the federal government operates under a Westminster-style system with executive power exercised by the Governor-General as representative of the British monarch, while the Prime Minister serves as head of government. The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and House of Representatives, with the government formed by the party holding majority support in the lower house. Under Section 51 of the Australian Constitution, federal powers include external affairs, defense, immigration, trade, and taxation, with Tourism Australia operating as one of its corporate portfolio agencies under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Nan Hai Media

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Nan Hai Culture and Media Group (澳大利亚南海文化传媒集团) is a Sydney-based media company founded in 2011 by CEO Li Bing (李冰). The company operates multiple platforms including WeSydney (Australia’s third most popular WeChat account), Citywalker magazine, and produces Chinese editions of Qantas magazine and Vogue Australia. According to a 2020 Australian Strategic Policy Institute report, Nan Hai has close ties to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD). The company reportedly received funding from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (absorbed by UFWD in 2018) and maintains a partnership with China News Service, the UFWD’s media wing. Nan Hai shares office space at 541 Kent Street, Sydney, with Ya Zhou Wen Hua Enterprises (Australia), a joint venture with a UFWD-controlled Hong Kong company. The company organizes the annual Sydney Chinese New Year Lantern Festival at Darling Harbour, jointly with the Australia-China Economics, Trade and Culture Association.

Tourism Australia

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Tourism Australia is the Australian government agency responsible for promoting Australian destinations for business and leisure travel internationally and domestically. Established in 2004 through the Tourism Australia Act as a merger of the Australian Tourist Commission, Bureau of Tourism Research, Tourism Forecasting Council, and See Australia, the agency operates as a corporate portfolio entity under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. With approximately 198 staff across 15 markets, Tourism Australia implements campaigns aligned with the THRIVE 2030 national strategy, aiming to grow visitor economy spending from pre-pandemic levels of AU$166 billion to AU$230 billion by 2030. Notable campaigns included the 2022 “Come and Say G’day” featuring cartoon kangaroo Ruby the Roo, voiced by Rose Byrne, with its second chapter launching in August 2025 fronted by Robert Irwin.

Asia Pacific Journalism Center

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The Asia Pacific Journalism Centre (APJC) is an independent, not-for-profit news media development organization based in Melbourne, Australia, established in 2003. The Center has worked with over 1,000 news media professionals across the Asia-Pacific region through training programs, mentorships, study tours, international dialogue initiatives, and consultancy services aimed at strengthening journalism capacity. APJC promotes informed and ethical reporting, greater participation of women and minorities in media, and improved regional understanding. A signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct since 2013, APJC collaborates with participating organizations to secure funding from sponsoring agencies and foundations, submitting audited financial reports annually to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Center emphasizes personal leadership skills for implementing change within journalism.

Chinese Diplomat Visits Sin Chew Daily

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On December 8, 2023, Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Zheng Xuefang (鄭學方) visited the headquarters of Malaysia’s Sin Chew Daily and met with senior leaders from Media Chinese International Limited. The meeting occurred in the context of 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations, established on May 31, 1974. Zheng praised the role of media in strengthening bilateral relations and emphasized the concept of a “China-Malaysia community of shared destiny” (中馬命運共同體). The meeting was attended by Media Chinese International Board Chairman Tiong Choon (張聰), Editor-in-Chief Kuok Ching Kian (郭清江), Sin Chew Daily CEO Xu Chun (許春), Executive Editor-in-Chief Chen Hanguang (陳漢光), and General Manager of Corporate Relations Chen Jinquan (陳金泉).

China and Czech Republic Sign Joint Communiqué During Zeman Visit

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In December 1999, Czech Prime Minister Miloš Zeman and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji issued a joint communiqué following Zeman’s official visit to China. The document, echoing standard official CCP discourse, stated that both sides reached a “friendly atmosphere” and committed to “long-term, stable cooperative ties” based on “mutual respect” (相互尊重) and “non-interference in each other’s internal affairs” (互不干涉内政). On media engagement, the two governments expressed a willingness to “further develop cooperation” in the area of journalism (新闻), or news, alongside culture and education — though specific programs were not mentioned. The Czech side reiterated its adherence to the Chinese government’s concept of the “one China” principle (一个中国原则), recognizing Taiwan as an “inalienable part of Chinese territory.”

CITIC Group Acquires Majority Stake in Medea

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In April 2020, the Chinese state-run conglomerate CITIC Group exercised a strategic option to increase its ownership in Médea from a 30 percent minority to a 57 percent majority stake. This transaction, executed through CITIC’s investment arm Rainbow Wisdom Investment, granted the Chinese Ministry of Finance significant leverage over the Czech media landscape. Médea acts as a critical intermediary, said media reports in the Czech Republic, managing approximately 3 billion CZK (about 120 million US dollars) in annual advertising budgets. Analysts expressed concern that this financial control could create a chilling effect on journalism, effectively incentivizing accommodating outlets with advertising revenue while penalizing those critical of Beijing. The move followed the collapse of CEFC China Energy, whose assets were absorbed by CITIC to maintain China’s institutional influence.

Medea Group

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Médea Group (MÉDEA, a.s.) is the largest communications and media agency on the Czech market, representing a portfolio of more than 600 clients. The company functions as a comprehensive service provider, offering strategic media planning, marketing communication, and the implementation of large-scale media campaigns. Because it acts as a critical intermediary for advertising procurement, Médea holds a dominant position in the Czech media landscape. In 2020, the agency managed an estimated annual advertising budget of 3 billion CZK (approximately 120 million US dollars). Between 2016 and 2021, the firm became a focal point of geopolitical concern following significant investments from Chinese state-linked entities, specifically CEFC China Energy and later CITIC Group. Analysts noted that this financial control could potentially influence domestic editorial independence by directing advertising revenue toward accommodating media outlets.