Beijing, August 29, 2025 — Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)’s Founding Dean and Professor of China Business and Globalization Xiang Bing attended a series of high-profile events in Australia between August 21-27, shedding light on the global implications of China’s unique economic model and business innovation momentum.
Speaking at the 2025 Australia-ASEAN Business Forum on August 27 in Adelaide, Australia, Dean Xiang highlighted China’s enduring role in regional economic and trade relations. He noted that China and other RCEP members have been each other’s largest trading partners for five consecutive years, with China remaining as Australia’s largest trading partner for 16 years in a row. The two-way trade volume between China and Australia reached USD 312 billion in 2024, accounting for almost one third of Australia’s exports.
He said the global economy today is being shaped by both regional integration and innovation-led transformation, and China’s advances in areas such as e-commerce, fintech, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence are not only reshaping domestic industries, but also offering new business models and practices of global relevance.
The Forum also welcomed the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia; Her Excellency the Hon. Sam Mostyn AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia; and the Hon. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, among other esteemed guests.
Prior to this forum, Dean Xiang spoke at a series of CKGSB events in Australia around China’s economic prospect, business models and innovations.
On August 22, CKGSB and the Victoria State Government co-hosted a forum in Melbourne, where Dean Xiang delivered a keynote speech in front of 70 senior guests from the business and government sectors.
Dean Xiang elaborated on the latest trends of China’s economy and business models from both macro and micro perspectives. He pointed out that the driving forces of global economic growth are undergoing a fundamental shift. He expanded on the two types of growth engines—innovation-driven growth and disruptive-driven growth—the former advancing society through technological breakthroughs and institutional reforms, while the latter often overturning established structures with entirely new models and ways of thinking.
He emphasized that China’s business models are undergoing profound transformation. From being a global manufacturing powerhouse to a rising digital economy, China has not only nurtured a considerable number of unicorn companies, but also demonstrated unique strengths in scaling up enterprises and pursuing globalization, which reflects the vitality of China’s economy and offers new perspectives for driving global innovation.
The keynote was followed by a panel discussion on cross-border collaboration in business and innovation, where Dean Xiang was joined by Jenny George, Dean of Melbourne Business School of the University of Melbourne, Xiang Wei, Director of Cisco-La Trobe Centre for AI and Internet of Things, and Tom Parker, CEO of Australia China Business Council (as the moderator). Professor Xiang Bing emphasized the importance of talent mobility and knowledge sharing in promoting cross-border cooperation. Professor Xiang Wei and Dean Jenny George also pointed out that education, healthcare, and scientific research are the most promising areas for cross-border academic cooperation, especially in the fields of AI and information technology.
The event also featured Enda Stankard, Managing Director at MA Financial Group, Jay Haugh, Former Manager of Business Migration at the Victoria State Government, and the Hon. Bruce Atkinson, Former Member of Victorian Parliament, among others.
Dean Xiang also addressed a joint event hosted by CKGSB and the University of Sydney on August 25, exploring academic and business collaboration opportunities between China and Australia.
Through these forums and dialogues, CKGSB continues to advance thought leadership and foster international collaboration in areas critical to sustainable growth, innovation, and global economic development.
