Chau Chak Wing building goes ahead at Sydney University

Chau Chak Wing and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Michael Spence at the ceremony in Guangdong, at the ...
Chau Chak Wing and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Michael Spence at the ceremony in Guangdong, at the signing of the deed of gift to establish the Chau Chak Wing Museum. Andrew Taylor
by Robert Bolton

A building named after, and partly financed by, a Chinese billionaire in Australia, Chau Chak Wing, will go ahead at Sydney University - despite controversy over the businessman's so-called "soft power" connections to Beijing.

Fairfax Media and the ABC revealed that ASIO have advised politicians against taking donations from two high profile Chinese businessmen, Huang Xiangmo and Dr Chau.

Dr Chau gave $15 million to Sydney University to bring all its museum and art collections under one roof in a landmark building in front of the main quadrangle, which will carry his name.

University vice-chancellor Michael Spence said he had no concern the gift would be used to inappropriately influence any facet of their operations.

The $15 million donation will establish a "landmark new museum" at the main entrance of the University of Sydney.
The $15 million donation will establish a "landmark new museum" at the main entrance of the University of Sydney. supplied

"Dr Chau is known for his philanthropy to Australian institutions. He's one of more than 50,000 donors to the university from over 40 countries," Dr Spence said.

But commentators have urged caution in handling large donations from Chinese business sources.

James Leibold at Latrobe University said universities need to exercise caution in taking money.

"In light of the Four Corners program, Sydney University and others need to think carefully about whether what they get comes with any strings attached," he said. "He's a naturalised Australian citizen and ASIO hasn't warned the universities, but they need to be far more cautious."

Dr Chau gave $20 million to the University of Technology in Sydney for a new business school building designed by architect Frank Gehry, but named after its benefactor.

The Four Corners program, made jointly by the ABC and Fairfax, highlighted a growing concern about Chinese so-called soft power in which Beijing's influence is exercised through political donations, cultural activities and education.

In the United States concerns have been raised about the activities of the Confucius Institute which operates at more than 100 universities. These offer cultural programs but are financed directly by the government in Beijing.

Author, and former Time Magazine bureau chief in Beijing, Richard Bernstein, says many of the institute's US teachers are obliged to avoid subjects such as Tibet, Taiwan and China's human rights record.

There are seven Confucius Institutes operating in Australia, including one at Sydney University.

The head of the Asia Society in Australia, Philipp Ivanov says universities and education are a dimension of soft power that has always been present.

"The philanthropic donation is a good thing, given funding shortages. But universities must protect their independence from commercial pressures, government and foreign entities," he said