Functions of the Chinese Embassy in Australia

Functions of the Chinese Embassy in Australia include representing Chinese citizens in Australia as well as proliferating Chinese culture in Australia.

According to the Chinese government, the purpose of the Chinese Embassy in Australia is to unswervingly pursue, "an independent foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to preserve China’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for China’s reform, and opening up and modernization construction, maintain world peace and propel common development. The Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Australia is Mr. Zhang Junsai. There are four Consular districts that comprise the Chinese Consulates of Australia:

• The Consulate General of China in Brisbane
• The Consulate General of China in Melbourne
• The Consulate General of China in Perth
• The Consulate General of China in Sydney

The Chinese Embassy in Australia is comprised of four departments: the Consular and Visa Office, the Education Office, the Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office, and the Cultural Office.

The Consular and Visa Office is responsible for allocating visas to Chinese citizens in Australia and representing Chinese citizens in Australia. This includes assistance within a similar scope of Australian embassies. This includes providing assistance during a time of legal trouble or emergencies, but without provisions for accommodations or financial needs.

The Education Office of Chinese Embassy in Australia serves the purpose of:

• Enhancing and encouraging Sino-Australia bilateral educational cooperation and exchange, facilitate the governmental education agreement and support non-governmental programs
• Protecting the rights and interests of Chinese scholars in Australia while providing services for them
• Promoting Chinese language tutelage and Chinese studies in Australia
• Maintaining regular contact with the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, educational institutions, scientific research organizations, and other educational institutions in Australia

The Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office is responsible for the following:

• Promoting bilateral economic development between China and Australia
• Maintaining contact with China
• Negotiating with Australian entities on the subject of trade on behalf of China
• Participating in multilateral negotiations and treatments
• Introducing foreign trade policies to China
• Providing consultancy to businesses both in China and Australia
• Sending invitation and propaganda to Australian organizations
• Harmonizing Chinese enterprises with Australia to proliferate commercial growth between the two countries and for China within Australia.

The cultural office of the Chinese Embassy in Australia is mostly to introduce Chinese culture to Australian people. This is accomplished through a series of cultural exchange projects that cover areas including literature, publication, theater, music, dance, film, television, fine arts, and sports. This department also mitigates cooperation between trade union and demographically specific organizations between the two countries. As part of this initiative, the public can obtain cultural items like films and publications regarding cultural nuances of China from this office.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia Holiday Schedule

The holiday schedule is indicative of the synthesizing nature of foreign embassies; the schedule recognized by the Chinese Embassy in Australia is:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Australia Day (January 26)
• Chinese Spring Festival (February 15-17)
• Easter Day (April 2)
• Tomb-Sweeping Day (April 5)
• Anazc Day (April 26)
• International Labor Day (May 3)
• Queen’s Birthday (June 14)
• Family and Community Fun Day (September 27)
• Chinese National Day (October 1, 4, and 5)
• Christmas Day (December 27 and 28)