About Us

Our History

The Australia-China Young Professionals Initiative (ACYPI) was founded in December 2010 as a sister society to the Australia-China Youth Association (ACYA), with the objective of building a community for young professionals seeking to engage with the Australia-China relationship beyond their university years. Since its founding, ACYPI has become one of the largest networks in the Australia-China space, with 9 chapters across Australia and China.

It has continued to be independent, apolitical, and a 100% volunteer-led not-for-profit organisation, focused on engaging, connecting and empowering thousands of young professionals and entrepreneurs in our community across both countries. From community and representation building efforts by the Women’s Network to tentpole events like the Emerging Leaders Summit and Global Professionals Summit, ACYPI works to ensure that young professionals learn from leaders in the transnational relationship and can develop their skills as the leaders of tomorrow.

On 18 April, 2026 ACYPI and ACYA were formally reunited by ACYA President Mackenzie Lang and ACYPI Chair Joyce Zhuo, to better coordinate support and provide opportunities to members. ACYPI remains passionate and committed to our cause of connecting like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs within the bilateral dialogue.

Our Mission

ACYPI is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive and apolitical community for young professionals interested in the Australia-China space. Through regular events and initiatives, ACYPI works to promote people-to-people exchange and cultivate cross-cultural literacy among young people in Australia and China to help their decision-making as emerging leaders.

Our core pillars are to:

  • Engage our members on policy, industry, cultural and academic themes relevant to Australia and China

  • Connect our members to like-minded peers through professional networking opportunities across sectors

  • Empower our members to become future leaders between Australia and China

Testimonials:

  • ACYPI was founded in 2010 with the idea that young Australian and Chinese professionals were underserved in terms of their access to leading thinking on bilateral issues. We also found that young professionals lacked regular opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs in their own cities.

    —Lloyd Bradbury, Principal, Head of Asia-Pacific Capital Advisory at Greenhill & Co. Asia Limited

  • Over the years ACYPI has built a reputation for bringing young people from Australia and China together and fostering a vibrant and diverse community. People-to-people connections are an integral part of the Australia-China relationship, and youth-led organisations such as ACYPI provide such valuable platforms that enhance mutual understanding and connections for future leaders.

    Australian Embassy Beijing

  • The Australia-China relationship have never been better supported than it is today by a group of a talented, skilled and invested young professionals operating at the grass-roots level. The challenge is for these voices to be networked with one another and elevated in the commercial and public spheres of both countries. ACYPI is at the forefront of doing both and I value and endorse their activities to the fullest.

    Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

  • ACYPI is a powerful platform that aligns globally-minded young professionals who each share an interest in Australia-Greater China affairs. The network is unparalleled in the depth and breadth of its membership. It supports an array of thought leadership and community-building initiatives such that ACYPI has indeed become a key people-to-people pillar in the bilateral realtionship

    —Vice President, International Investments Legal Advisory at the Public Investment Fund

  • I have had the pleasure to speak at an event for ACYPI on the importance of mental health and wellbeing for young professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to ACYPI for providing a great community platform for young professionals, interested in the Australia-China space, to connect and engage

    —Georgie Harman, CEO at Beyond Blue

  • I've had the pleasure of being involved in ACYPI since its inception and for the last decade it's been the preeminent organisation for young professionals who have an interest in or are engaged with the Australia-China bilateral relationship.

    Thomas Day, Partnerships and Development at Asialink Business

  • I’ve been involved in ACYPI in many capacities over the years. The events are always professionally run and I believe the community provides a unique opportunity for young professionals interested in the Australia-China space to come together and engage.

    Penny Burtt Former CEO Asialink, University of Melbourne