One of Australia’s most senior university executives — tasked with brokering research deals with China — once travelled to Xi’an, Shaanxi province, to take part in a leadership training seminar attended by the second-in-command of the 
Government’s overseas community affairs.
A photo taken at the time shows 
Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor Xiaotian Zhang (张啸天; right pic / far left of the front row in left pic) seated with Tan Tianxing (谭天星), deputy director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council then, at the 39th Overseas Chinese Community Leaders Seminar in Xi’an. (Tan later became deputy minister of the United Front Work Department and secretary-general of the CCP’s top Taiwan reunification agency, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.)
Zhang, who was working at University of Tartu in Estonia at the time the photo was taken in Apr 2016, subsequently joined Perth-based Curtin University by Apr 2022.
“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 an account of the event published in its 2021-22 annual report.
There is no suggestion that 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.
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 during 2020 - 2021 and held various roles at the University of Tartu during 2010 - 2016.
He served as deputy vice-president of Shanghai University from 2017 to 2022, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Curtin University in April 2023.
In Nov 2023, Zhang hosted University of Shanghai for Science and Technology vice president and deputy secretary of its Communist Party committee Sheng Chun (盛春) to sign a memorandum of understanding.
A spokesperson for Curtin University said the institution supported 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.”
heraldsun.com.au/news/national/
Government’s overseas community affairs.
A photo taken at the time shows Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor Xiaotian Zhang (张啸天; right pic / far left of the front row in left pic) seated with Tan Tianxing (谭天星), deputy director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council then, at the 39th Overseas Chinese Community Leaders Seminar in Xi’an. (Tan later became deputy minister of the United Front Work Department and secretary-general of the CCP’s top Taiwan reunification agency, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.)
Zhang, who was working at University of Tartu in Estonia at the time the photo was taken in Apr 2016, subsequently joined Perth-based Curtin University by Apr 2022.
“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 an account of the event published in its 2021-22 annual report.
There is no suggestion that 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.
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 during 2020 - 2021 and held various roles at the University of Tartu during 2010 - 2016.
He served as deputy vice-president of Shanghai University from 2017 to 2022, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Curtin University in April 2023.
In Nov 2023, Zhang hosted University of Shanghai for Science and Technology vice president and deputy secretary of its Communist Party committee Sheng Chun (盛春) to sign a memorandum of understanding.
A spokesperson for Curtin University said the institution supported 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.”
heraldsun.com.au/news/national/
