The Australia-China relationship is at its lowest ebb since diplomatic relations were established in December 1972. Compounded by the COVID-19 crisis, business and people-to-people relationships between Australia and China are also at risk of deteriorating.

Dr Carl Hinze discusses how we got to this position in the Australia-China relationship, what is likely to happen next and what we – as those involved in business and people-to-people relationships with China – can do about it. Carl discusses whether business relationships with China can offer some lessons for how the political relationship can improve. Is it possible, for instance, to adopt a realistic, business-like approach as a means to re-set the Australia-China relationship? Drawing on examples from the business world, Carl also examined what concepts such as “mutual benefit,” “mutual respect,” and “mutual trust” mean in the Chinese context, and whether these concepts can be reconciled with Australian understanding.

Dr Carl Hinze has spent over 30 years studying Chinese language and culture. For 10 years, he worked in Shanghai in the fields of law and investment banking. Since 2014, Carl has been a partner in the national law firm, Holding Redlich, where he heads up the firm’s China practice. Fluent in Mandarin, he has a PhD in Chinese culture from the University of Queensland. Carl’s legal practice focuses on cross-border investment, including China and US-related mergers and acquisitions. He has also represented multinational clients in complex arbitration proceedings involving protracted disputes between business partners in China and other parts of Asia. Carl is a renowned expert in Chinese politeness and cross-cultural communication. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Australia China Business Council (Qld) and a BA Advisory Board Member at the University of Queensland.

This is a recording of an event held by AIIA Queensland on 10 August 2021. To register for upcoming AIIA events, CLICK HERE.