Are you ready for a new?decade??

To kick start 2020, I was humbled and excited to be part of the Australia-China Emerging Leaders’ Summit (ACELS): 2020 Vision Ushering a New Decade of Australia-China Relations. It marks the end of an old era and represents the start of a new era, both for me personally as well as for the bilateral relations. 

What is ACELS? 

ACELS is the signature initiative of the Australia-China Youth Association (ACYA), designed to unite and enrich a new generation of Australia-China literate leaders. Held biannually in both Australia and China, the Summit delivers an intensive program of professional development, fostering a deeper understanding of the region and genuine people-to-people connections.

For the 10th Anniversary of ACELS, it was held in Guangzhou Pearl River Metropolitan Region, with topics ranging from education, technology, trade & investments, entrepreneurship, and arts & culture. The sessions were insightful from industry professionals, thanks to all the hard work of the project team. I also felt that young Australian and Chinese have more on our shoulders. 

ACELS10 Guangzhou Project Team and Delegates

What was my story with ACYA and ACELS? 

It was the fourth time for me to attend ACELS in 2020, and it also marks my fifth year engagement with ACYA. The past four years of studying in Australia have been absolutely life-changing and I would not regret a single moment. I had a precious opportunity to meet with like-minded young people who share the same interest in cross-cultural exchange, who love to dig deeper into others’ stories, who envision a better bilateral relationship through grassroots engagement. 

In the early days when I first arrived in Australia in 2015, I was really struggling, because of my funky Chinglish. I didn’t know that most assignments were group work. When we started forming groups, local students formed with their Aussie “mates” easily, leaving Chinese students for their own groups. I knew at the time, if this continues, it’s gonna be a missed opportunity to explore what this diverse country offers. As a self-getter and someone who is passionate about cross-cultural communication, I joined ACYA as a volunteer for 2015 Newcastle China Week. After that, I could not stop myself from volunteering more. Hundreds of hours of voluntary work with ACYA not only enhanced my professional skillsets, but also brushed up my English, built up my confidence, enabled me to have a greater voice, particularly through a gender lens as a Chinese. 

Human figure "ACYA ACELS" in front of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall

What can you do post-ACELS? 

ACELS gives me a great opportunity to understand my fellow young Chinese and Australians’ passions. I met with Aussies who can speak fluent mandarin. I met with people who are lifelong learners and fighters. I met with people who are dedicated to putting a beautiful smile on our faces. Each individual has a unique story and they also taught me so much. 

Become a door knocker — have the courage

The difference between door knocker and a window opener is that a door knocker cannot see what’s in the front, they don’t know what the outcome is gonna be, but they have the courage to knock the door. It is so easy that we are buried in daily hustling, but lose hope and courage. If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others. Did you ask yourself, why you are doing what you are doing? What drives you? If you are not happy, knock the door and find the answer. 

Amazing Race in Guangzhou: took so long to find this fortune teller lol

Initiate a conversation — speak up and take actions

Let’s invite one another for a conversation, for connections, for compassion. Maybe then we can begin to be fearless, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe then we can better embrace the ways we are the same, we desire to collaborate, we dream similar dreams. It’s not about being perfect, it’s not about where you get yourself in the end. It’s about what you leave behind on this journey. There’s power in owning your unique story, in being innovative to solve problems, in allowing yourself to be heard and known. There’s grace in being willing to hear others’ stories, in speaking up for what’s right, in bringing people together for social good.

Envision the world — settle down or do more? 

As a saying by a Chinese philosopher Zhang Zai goes, “To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth. To secure life and fortune for people. To continue lost teachings for past sages. To establish peace for all future generations.” “ 为天地立心，为生民立命，为往圣继绝学，为万世开太平。” Combining the mind, head, and heart, it is wonderful to see more and more visionary leaders work for a better not only Australia-China relations, but also the interrelations in this global village, such as climate change, women’s rights, cross-cultural engagement, impact investing, etc. Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be? This is the question for all of us. 

With the youngest delegate of ACELS: Miro loves reading :)