<P> The Qing Consulate - General in Melbourne became the main conduit for relations between Australia and China from 1909 . Mei Quong Tart, who had already been Honorary Consul, had for years been favoured as the first Chinese Consul - General by the Chinese community, the European consular corps, as well as the Australian Prime Minister, but he died in 1903 before the Consulate - General had been set up . Instead, the first Consul - General was Liang Lan - hsun, an imperial official and experienced diplomat . However, the consul's attention was focused on trade relations, not discrimination against Chinese migrants . </P> <P> On 1 January 1912, the Republic of China replaced the Qing empire . The Consulate - General immediately set about mobilising the Chinese community in support of the new government, collecting funds and sending delegates to elect overseas Chinese deputies in the new Chinese parliament . Different political factions in China found support in Australia: while the Consulate - General sponsored groups supporting Yuan Shikai's Beijing government, the opposing Chinese Nationalist League (later a branch of the Kuomintang) was formed in Sydney in 1916 . A relaxation in Australia's racial exclusion laws led to broader people - to - people interactions . By 1924, 200 Chinese students were arriving in Australia to study in that year alone . An Australian trade commissioner was briefly stationed in China in 1921 - 22 . </P> <P> In the mid-1920s, conflict between China and Britain surrounding the Canton--Hong Kong strike created tensions between China and Australia (as a dominion of Britain) as well . Following the Northern Expedition in China, greater political unity within China bolstered the Chinese Consulate - General's confidence in criticising Australian laws that discriminated against the Chinese; they were supported domestically by a resolution at the ruling Kuomintang's Third National Conference in 1929 . Australian rules against Chinese residents and visitors were relaxed in response, including making it easier for Chinese nationals to visit or study in Australia . </P> <P> The 1930s saw an upsurge in bilateral relations . The Consulate - General was reorganised and moved to Sydney, with sub-consulates opened in other key cities . Various Chinese officials visited Australia . In 1931 - 2, Lin Sen, President of the National Government of China and figurehead head of state, visited Sydney and Melbourne . This was the first visit to Australia by a Chinese head of state, and Lin used the opportunity to press for greater relaxation of Australia's restrictions on Chinese migration . As a mark of respect, he was given a seat on the floor of the House of Representatives . In 1934, John Latham, the deputy leader of the government, led a Mission to the Far East which visited China . </P>

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