On 25 June 2014, the “Bridge of Memories” Exhibition of Chinese Australians History, organized by Jinan University and the Museum of Chinese Australian History, was unveiled at the university’s library. There were at least 40 guests present at the unveiling meeting, including Mr. Marcus Schutenko, Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of Chinese Australian History, Mr. Dominic Trindade, the Consul-General of Australia in Guangzhou, Mr. Tim Lindenmayer the Vice Consul-General, Mr. Jonathan Sheahan and Mr. Chuan Tran, representatives from the Australia Chamber of Commerce in South China, Mr. Wang Minghui, Director General of the Guangdong Museum of Chinese National Residing Abroad, and Professor Song Xianzhong, Vice President of Jinan University.

Vice President Professor Song Xianzhong delivered a welcome speech at the opening ceremony. He pointed out that Jinan University has paid great attention to research on overseas Chinese and international migrants, and has become one of the most important overseas Chinese research bases internationally. It is always the university’s import strategy to strengthen exchanges and collaborations with overseas top research institutions aiming to upgrade the university’s research standard and so JNU could stand globally. Meanwhile, Prof Song belivered that this exhibition surely would provide a wonderful opportunity for people in China to know more about the Chinese Australian community, and, at the same time, promote the friendship between China and Australia.
 
Mr. Dominic Trindade , Consul-General of Australia in Guangzhou, mentioned that the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for cultural exchanges between China and Australia. Also, as historically a large part of the Chinese Australians came from Guangzhou and now the contacts built by people from both countries are increasing, exhibition like this has embodied more meaning. Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of Chinese Australian History, Mr. Marcus Schutenko, shared stories behind the exhibition with the guests. He pointed out that from the gold rush to the restrictive immigration legislation period and, then, to the present wave of overseas Chinese immigration, Australia has become diversified society, with the overseas Chinese community contributing to this and, also, experiencing great changes. The Museum of Chinese Australian History is proud to contribute in setting up of the exhibition. He hopes that through personal accounts told by contemporary Chinese Australians, the “Bridge of Memories“Exhibition would showcase the everyday stories of migrants of Chinese descent who have come to Australia in the last 50 years. It is his hope that the stories could increase the understanding of cultural differences and show the contribution that overseas Chinese have made for Australia.
The event aims to offer a channel for people to explore the identity issue of Australian Chinese and to know more about Australia’s multi-cultural society. The exhibition will go on for one week. Those who are studying about overseas Chinese in Australia and who are interested in enhancing mutual understandings and exchanges between two countries should visit the library while the exhibition is still available.

  At the opening ceremony
 
 
 
 Vice president Prof. Song Xianzhong Presenting the gift to Mr. Dominic Trindade
 
 
 
 
People are reading the exhibition carefully

Provided by International Affairs Office