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In February 1818, Mak Sai Ying from Guangzhou arrived in Sydney as the first recorded Chinese settler in Australia.  It was to be the start of a 200-year journey of the Chinese community in Australia.  By 2016 more than 1.2 million Australians declare their Chinese ancestry.

To celebrate this milestone, the Chinese Museum has launched the exhibition, One Million Stories: Chinese Australians 200 Years, to showcase the varied and interesting journeys of individuals, families and groups who have come from all regions of South East Asia and China over this 200 years of settlement.

The Chinese Australian community has had a strong influence on the evolution of contemporary multicultural Australian society and, in the future, has the opportunity to play a dynamic role in the shaping of Australia as a nation, particularly in its engagement with the Asia Pacific region.

This Exhibition tells stories that demonstrate the depth and breadth of the experiences of Chinese Australians: from the 19th to the 21st centuries; from Parramatta to Perth and from Bundaberg to Burnie; and from first-generation arrivals to the Australian-born. One Million Stories is the first exhibition that has explored and presented a national view of this 200-year journey.

Interviews available during the launch event on 28 November, 6-8 pm:

Barry Shying, a descendent of Mak Sai Ying, the first recorded Chinese immigrant to Australia

Emeritus Professor Kwong Lee Dow, AO, Chair of Australian Multicultural Foundation and distinguished education scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne

Mark Wang, Chief Executive Officer, Museum of Chinese Australian History

Tony Ayres, one of the most prolific and award winning writers and directors in the Australian film industry

Elizabeth Chong, Australian celebrity chef, author and TV presenter who’s father invented the Aussie ‘dim sim’

Darryl Low Choy, retired Major General of the Australian Army