Page 3356 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 22 September 2015
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Other role models who attended the walk included: Glynn Jones from ACT Fire & Rescue; Brett Cunningham from the AFP; Quentin Botha from the ACT Ambulance Service; Kelsey-Lee Roberts, the Brindabella Christian College Charnwood sports ambassador and Commonwealth Games medallist; Nathan Campbell, the head of senior school at Brindabella Christian College, Lyneham campus; Susan Jones, the acting head of Brindabella Christian College, Lyneham campus, and Pastor Sean Stanton from Life UC Church.
I would like to congratulate all those involved in the walk to school with dad event on a very enjoyable day. I am sure the students enjoyed the experience. I wish the students, staff and the rest of the school community all the best for the rest of the year and for these coming holidays. For more information about Brindabella Christian College in Charnwood, I recommend members visit their website at bcc.act.edu.au/charnwood.
China one belt, one road forum
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra) (4.54): Last month, I had the pleasure of speaking at the one belt, one road forum hosted at the ANU Centre on China in the World. Attending were the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Ma Zhaoxu, Minister Counsellor of Education at the Chinese Embassy Mr Xu Xiao, Pro Vice-Chancellor of ANU Dr Erik Lithander, as well as business leaders from interstate.
The ACT government has a strong commitment to strengthening ties with China, consistent with the intent of the one belt, one road initiative—to connect the future of China’s neighbours with China’s own future. The local Chinese community here in Canberra is very active in our rich multicultural landscape and plays a key role in building our links and strengthening our engagement with China. Around two per cent of Canberra’s population—around 7,500—was born in China, and Cantonese and Mandarin are the most commonly spoken languages in Canberra after English.
The ACT government’s strong push for engagement with China has created many gains for the community. There are 5½ thousand Chinese students enrolled in Canberra’s universities. The ACT has more visits from Chinese tourists than tourists from any other country. The ACT welcomed nearly 28,000 Chinese visitors for the year ending March 2015, an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
China is one of Canberra’s most important trade and investment partners, with many opportunities for economic and cultural exchange facilitated by our sister city relationship with Beijing. This relationship, established in 2000, establishes the foundation for increased cooperation between the cities and is highly regarded and widely promoted in Canberra. One of the highlights of that relationship occurred in 2008 when Canberra hosted a leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay, the only Australian city to do so.
The ACT government has ensured Canberra is in an excellent position to make the most of Australia’s growing links with China. These include supporting the work of the National Library of Australia to bring a significant exhibition to Canberra from the
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