About the CAEIC project

The China-Australia Electronic Information Centre (CAEIC) was initiated in 1995 as a cooperative project of the Australian National University Library, the National Library of China and the Australia-China Council. The concept of the Centre had its birth in 1994 in the early days of internet connectivity in China when the only visible Chinese site on the internet was that of the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing. It grew from the Chinese Serials Database an earlier path-breaking project of the Australian National University Library and the National Library of China - to develop a searchable database of Chinese serials on the internet. It built on the already extensive personal and technical links between the Australian National University Library, the National Library of China and other major libraries in China.

Funded by a substantial grant from the Australia-China Council, the project involved upgrading the already established internet link between the ANU and the NLC and at the same time establishing an Australian Electronic Information Centre and an associated web-site at the National Library of China. The Centre was seen as acting as a platform for the dissemination of information about Australia in China whilst also serving as a gateway for Australian and other international access to the rich resources of the National Library of China and ultimately through it, to other sites in China. It was intended that the Centre would be accessible to users thoughout China via computer networks, or directly through the Centre's facilities in the National Library of China. This project and the earlier project associated with it made a major contribution to the provision in 1996 of internet access to the catalogues of the National Library of China and other major Chinese libraries not only for Australian but also for other international users.

The project has involved the provision of hardware and software and several periods of training in information technology for National Library of China personnel both in Beijing and in Canberra; the development of the CAEIC web-site of information sources on Australia and the dedication of a room in the National Library of China to provide information about Australia to visitors to the Centre. The project has undergone several metamorphoses since its inception in 1995, influenced not least by the rapid developments in information technology, particularly internet accessibility in China. Other factors have also had an impact on the development of the project. Following cuts to Higher Education Budgets in Australia and the departure of key personnel involved in the project, the Australian National University Library withdrew from the project in mid 1997.

The Opening

The Australia-China Council awarded a contract to continue the development of the project to ASIA In Australia Pty Ltd in May 1998. Since then, Susan Prentice of ASIA In Australia working as part of a Consortium of Consultants with Rob Hurle of Connect-A and Tony Barry of Ningaui has been responsible for the carriage of the project. The web-site has been completely redesigned and rebuilt, further training as well as upgrades to equipment and software are planned and the China-Australia Electronic Information Centre was officially launched at the National Library of China in Beijing on 28 October 1998.

Unveiling

The China-Australia Electronic Information Centre was initiated in 1995 as a joint project of the Australian National University Library, the National Library of China and the Australia-China Council, and made possible by a generous grant from the Australia-China Council.
This page is currently supported by the ASIA In Australia Consortium on behalf of the Australia-China Council. Last updated Tue, 1 Jun 1999
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