Interview: Chinese events in Australia fundamental to building stronger cultural ties, says China expert

by Will Koulouris

SYDNEY, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The city of Sydney in Australia is home to the largest Chinese New Year Festival outside of Asia, and the event is pivotal to the development of stronger cultural ties between China and Australia.

From its humble beginnings 21 years ago, the festival has culminated in a city-wide event celebrated by millions of Sydney-siders, and according to Andrea Myles, CEO of the China Australia Millennial Project, the Spring Festival celebrations in Sydney have "evolved" drastically.

"Sydney has a really vibrant Chinese community, and always has, so now we are seeing that the Chinese New Year Festival in Sydney is actually the largest outside of Asia," Myles told Xinhua.

As a member of the advisory panel for the festival, Myles knows first hand the passion that Australians have for festivals. She said that this event stands out due to the love that Australians have for the Chinese community.

"The Chinese community is as much a part of Australia's history as anybody is a part of Australia's history," Myles said. "So we really own that, we really feel a bond there."

Although the floats and lights, might take center stage during the festivities, Myles believed that more importantly, the event has the special ability to bring families together during the course of the Lunar New Year celebrations.

"We know that it is a really important time for Chinese people here in Australia," Myles said.

"So we love to celebrate that and really show that, yes, you are absolutely welcome here and we want to be a part of it as much as we can."

The ability of this event, and others like it, in breaking down all cross-cultural barriers is one of the most crucial parts of the festivals operation, and Myles said that these festivals are "fundamental" in building strong and lasting ties between China and Australia.

"These events allow everybody, from the youngest child to the oldest grandmother to engage, and to be a part of the things which interest them," she said.

"So whether you are interested in food, whether you're interested in art, or you're interested in getting to know your neighbors better if they are Chinese, or if they are Australian. It's a really great opportunity to just come together."

This year saw the Chinese New Year celebrations draw in over a million visitors throughout the course of the two-week event at locations throughout the Sydney CBD, and comprised of over 80 events scattered around the city to the delight of the revellers.

With over 1,000 performers participating, along with a number of high-level Australian and Chinese sponsors and supporters of the festival, Myles hoped that in future years even more focus can be placed on the smaller contributions people can make to the festivities.

Asides from just the events, Myles said that she hoped these emerging connections can lead to more engagement and success between China and Australia at a micro level, with person-to-person relationships being the key to these positive outcomes.

"The business relationship between China and Australia in the past has been characterised by really large businesses. Huge state-owned enterprises, and huge Australian companies coming together," Myles said.

"However, for your average mom and dad, or young entrepreneur, that's a little bit difficult to see yourself in the picture of that. So now we are seeing a very big shift towards innovation between Australians and Chinese," she added.

"And I think this is really the opportunity: innovation, entrepreneurship, I would love to see the next huge company to be co-founded by a young Australian and a young Chinese person to really reshape the world."