Deakin University celebrates 50 years – Speech to Alumni Event in Beijing October 2025;
Charles Qin travelled to China as a guest and alumnus of Deakin Uni to celebrate this milestone and launch the Lushan Charles Qin OAM Exchange Scholarship
In this most pleasant season and the first chilly day in Beijing, I am deeply honoured and truly excited to stand before you today, sharing reflections and gratitude that lie close to my heart. Thank you Deakin University for your kind invitation and especially to President Martin, Vice President Molony and the Advancement Team for sharing this trip down memory lane.
I migrated to Australia in 1991 and began my postgraduate studies in interpreting and translation at Deakin University in 1992. From that point on, my destiny became intrinsically linked to the profession of translation and the evolving relationship between Australia and China.
I still vividly recall my assignments providing translation services for Chinese presidential visits to Australia including Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping and became the first simultaneous interpreter in the Australian parliament.
Just three months ago, I was here in Beijing for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit and his meetings with President Xi and Premier Li.
(from left to right) Professor Wang, President of Sichuan University, Professor Charles Qin, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Professor Barry Marshall, Ms Jodie Haydon
I have had the distinct honour of providing interpreting services for Australian prime ministers, including John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison, and the current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In addition, I have also served former Prime Ministers such as Bob Hawke, among other distinguished figures.
My professional stage has also extended to broader international settings, including serving as an interpreter at major international forums and institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, FIFA, G20, APEC, East Asia and ASEAN summits.
In the field of written translation, I have been privileged to contribute to the translation of over 90 books and articles with international ISBNs.
This includes Victoria’s China Strategy, a key document guiding our state’s policy towards China, launched right here in these very grounds just one month ago by the Honourable Premier Jacinta Allan of Victoria. Today, my company, Chin Communications, has grown into a leading Chinese-English (and other language) translation service provider in Oceania, boasting around twenty full-time and over two hundred part-time professional talents.
Reflecting on my personal and professional journey, the most crucial launchpad, without a doubt, was Deakin University. What set Deakin apart was its commitment to bringing in practising experts from various fields to teach, providing us with the most current and cutting-edge knowledge and great experience.
Vice Chancellor Professor Iain Martin presents Charles Qin OAM with a gift, Beijing October 2025
A cherished recognition was being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for my contributions to Australia’s international relations particularly through interpreting and translation.
There’s a Chinese saying, “When you drink water, remember the people who dug the well.” And as the Frenchman Jean Baptiste Massieu said, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Deakin is that very source which dug the well of wisdom and opportunity for me and for countless alumni. For this, I am immensely grateful.
Therefore, as Deakin approaches 50 and I turn 60, it is my sincere wish to give back to my alma mater, specifically by supporting Deakin students engaged in China-related studies. May they, in the future, contribute their own strengths to the continuing development of the vitally important Australia-China bilateral relationship, bringing even greater benefits to all of us
In the journey of advancing and strengthening our great Deakin University family, every alumnus, regardless of the scale of their contribution, can play a unique and important role and have an impact.
Finally, please allow me to once again express my deepest gratitude to Deakin University, to Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin, PVC John Molony, and Sarah Banks, Advancement Director. Thank you for granting me the privilege to speak today, and even more, thank you to my alma mater for allowing me the opportunity to contribute in my own small, but deeply grateful way, to its future development.
Go Deakin!
Thank you all.
