On October 16, Consul General Fang Xinwen attended the CAPS 20th Anniversary Celebration and the 16th Research Symposium for PhD Students and Scholars in Australia. More than 300 participants attended the event, including Prof Sara Wills, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and Culture) of the University of Melbourne; Prof Huanting Wang, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University; Melbourne City Councillor Andrew Rowse; Prof Xinghuo Yu, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; Ms Ding Li, Counsellor-rank Consul responsible for education affairs at the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne; Dr Yang Fu, Chair of CAPS; as well as professors, early-career researchers, PhD students and industry representatives from universities, research institutions and industry sectors across Australia.

In his remarks, Consul General Fang highly commended CAPS for its contributions over the past 20 years to promoting academic exchanges, research collaboration and the development of young talent between China and Australia. He noted that the two countries enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in education, science and technology, and industrial innovation. He expressed his hope that Chinese students and scholars in Australia would take guidance from the four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, actively serve as a bridge between the two countries, and contribute to China-Australia friendship and scientific and technological advancement.

Participants reflected on CAPS' development over the past two decades and engaged in in-depth discussions on opportunities for early-career researchers, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future directions in scientific and technological innovation. The event featured lively discussions and achieved positive outcomes.