About Us
Our History
ACYA was founded in 2008 by three Australian university students - Henry Makeham, Huw Pohlner and Dom Delany - whilst they were studying at Peking, Renmin and Tsinghua University.
Over the following decade, ACYA expanded rapidly across Australia and China, establishing chapters and delivering careers, educational and cultural events to students from both countries. In 2015, ACYA launched what would become its signature event: the Australia-China Emerging Leaders Summit (ACELS), now recognised as the leading youth-led conference in the Asia-Pacific.
On 18 April 2026, ACYA, led by President Mackenzie Lang, formally merged with its sister organisation ACYPI under Chair Joyce Zhuo. Operating under the Australia-China Youth Group parent company, the two organisations are now better positioned to coordinate support and expand opportunities for members as the Australia-China relationship enters a new phase of closer engagement. ACYA remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for young people interested in the Australia-China space.
Since its inception, ACYA has grown into a vibrant and diverse community, with chapters across both Australia and China. Through its extensive network, ACYA has hosted a wide range of events and offered unique professional opportunities to its growing membership base.
Our Mission
ACYA is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for students and young people interested in the Australia-China space, and seeks to elevate youth voices through its various initiatives and events. Through its ever-growing membership base, ACYA promotes bilateral relations at both the grassroots and public advocacy levels, while supporting the wellbeing and development of students and young professionals in Australia and China. Our engagement is centred upon three organisational pillars: Careers, Education, and People-to-People Exchange. From language exchange events and social dinners to networking evenings, we strive to connect individuals from a diverse range of educational, sectoral, cultural and geographical backgrounds.
The people-to-people connections between Australia and China are the real strength of the relationship … we need young leaders to have full exposure to each other in China and Australia to keep improving these networks.
Jan Adams AO,
Former Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China