Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor Xiaotian Zhang went to a Chinese government training session
A top Australian university executive attended a Chinese Government leadership training program before taking his role overseeing research deals with China.
Exclusive: One of Australia’s most senior university executives – tasked with brokering research deals with China – once travelled to Xi Jinping’s ancestral province to take part in a leadership training seminar attended by the second-in-command of the Chinese Government’s overseas community affairs.
A photo taken at the time shows Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor Xiaotian Zhang seated with the deputy director of the Chinese Government’s Overseas Chinese Affairs Office at a leaders seminar.
Prof Zhang, who was working at an Estonian university at the time the photo was taken in April 2016, subsequently joined Perth-based Curtin University by April 2022.
In an account of the event, published in its 2021-22 annual report, the Estonian intelligence service Kaitsepolitseiamet, known as Kapo, published a photo of Prof Zhang at the meeting among a number of Chinese community leaders invited from across Europe.
“To ensure the obedience of all Chinese people abroad and to call potential dissidents to order, selected leaders of Chinese communities in a foreign country are trained and used,” Estonian intelligence service Kaitsepolitseiamet, known as Kapo, wrote in its 2021-22 annual report.
Kapo pictured Prof Zhang seated in the front row at the 39th Overseas Chinese Community Leaders Seminar in Xi’an, China with Tan Tianxing, who at the time of its report served as United Front deputy minister.
There is no suggestion that Prof Zhang is a Chinese agent or that he was engaged as a foreign influencer, in breach of Australian law.
“The seminar aimed to enhance the overall quality of overseas Chinese community leaders, promote the development of their organisations, and, in connection with the “Belt and Road” initiative, encourage participants to align their personal career growth with China’s external development”, Chinese state-owned media reported.
“The [United Front Work Department] is a [Chinese Communist Party] subdivision responsible for controlling and influencing social life in China and abroad (government agencies, universities, organisations, private companies, including foreign companies in China, etc.)”, Kapo claimed.
This is “to ensure that nothing in the goals and activities of these organisations conflicts with the CCP’s official views or interests.”
The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office had close links with the United Front Work Department until they merged in 2017.
Zhang served as vice-chancellor of the Estonian Business School from 2020 and held various Asia international relations roles at the University of Tartu from 2010.
He concurrently served as deputy vice-president of Shanghai University from 2017 to 2022, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Curtin University in April 2023.
“It was fantastic to witness the MOU Signing Ceremony between Curtin University and Shanghai University”, he wrote on LinkedIn.
“ … Bridging these two great institutions for future academic co-operation is a true pleasure.”
In November 2023, Prof Zhang hosted University of Shanghai for Science and Technology vice president and deputy secretary of its Communist Party committee Sheng Chun to sign a memorandum of understanding.
Mr Tan, pictured seated with Curtin University’s Prof Zhang, also served at the time as secretary-general of the Chinese Communist Party’s top Taiwan reunification agency, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.
While not answering specific questions on his involvement in the seminar, Prof Zhang said he rejected any suggestion his participation in the event was unusual.
A spokesperson for Curtin University said the institution supported Prof Zhang’s position.
“In a global academic and professional environment, attending international events is entirely consistent with expectations and does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
“Professor Zhang is a respected member of Curtin University’s senior executive team and continues to provide valued leadership as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global.
“He was granted a Global Talent Visa by the Australian Federal Government in recognition of his exceptional expertise and is widely respected within both the international and academic communities.
“Curtin undertakes rigorous due diligence in the employment and onboarding of staff and all senior appointments meet the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s (TEQSA) fitness and propriety requirements.
“The University will not comment further.”
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Originally published as Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor Xiaotian Zhang went to a Chinese government training session
