
Mr. Wang Guozhong is one of the few Chinese elites in Australian politics, renowned for his outstanding political contributions and advocacy for multiculturalism. He has served as the Mayor of Baohuo City, a member of the New South Wales House of Lords, and as the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Council (equivalent to the Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress in China). As a first generation immigrant, Mr. Wang Guozhong is the only first generation Chinese politician active in Australian politics to date. He has not only lived in Australia for over 40 years, actively engaged in public affairs, but also earned widespread respect and love for the Chinese community.
In 2000, Mr. Wang Guozhong was successfully elected to the Sydney Borough Council, becoming the first Chinese member of parliament in the city since its establishment in 1874; In 2003, he became the first Chinese American mayor in the history of Baohuo City. During his fifteen years as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Wang Guozhong led the transformation of Baohuo City from an old and dull urban area to one of the important cities in New South Wales that is culturally diverse, prosperous, and takes into account historical preservation. He also confirmed the official Chinese name of 'Baohuo City'. In terms of municipal affairs, Mr. Wang Guozhong established the Multicultural Committee and created the first Spring Festival Carnival in Sydney's Western District, making it one of the annual events of the city government. In addition, he also promoted the establishment of Australia's first statue of Confucius, further strengthening the influence of Chinese culture in the local area.
In 2013, Mr. Wang Guozhong was elected by the Labour Party to take over the vacant seat in the House of Lords due to the resignation of former Labour Finance Minister Eric Lauzdar, becoming the fourth Chinese Member of Parliament in the history of New South Wales and the only Chinese Member of Parliament since 2013. In 2016, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, further demonstrating his influence in Australian politics.
During his tenure, Mr. Wang Guozhong was not only a spokesperson for promoting multiculturalism in Australia, but also committed to maintaining a balance between openness and traditional morality in legal development. He frequently leads business delegations to visit multiple countries, including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, etc., promoting international cooperation and exchanges, and advancing deep cooperation between Australia and other countries in economic, cultural, and other fields. Under his promotion, multiple chambers of commerce and business alliances were established, laying a solid foundation for Australia's relationships with countries around the world.
Mr. Wang Guozhong, as a first generation immigrant, has always been committed to pursuing social fairness and justice, with a special focus on the rights of immigrant communities. He has long been an active voice and advocate for the diverse cultural and immigrant communities in Australia, especially Chinese international students and new immigrants, to defend their rights. In his farewell speech to politics, Mr. Wang Guozhong said with deep emotion, "As a member of the Chinese community, it is crucial to oppose discrimination. In the history of the Australian Federation before and at the beginning of its establishment, discrimination against Chinese people was the basis." He recalled the resolution issued by British colonial representatives in June 1888, which stated that "further restrictions on Chinese immigration are crucial for the welfare of the Australian people. In addition, in 1966, Arthur Cowell, the leader of the Federal Labour Party, stated that "Asians pose a threat to our society"; In 1996, Pauline Hansen publicly suggested that "all Asian immigration should be stopped". It is precisely this historical background that prompted Mr. Wang Guozhong to devote himself to politics and strive to change this unjust phenomenon.
In 2019, Mr. Wang Guozhong left politics and returned to the legal field, currently serving as the chief lawyer at Junlin Law Firm. With years of legislative experience and rich political background, he successfully transformed from a legislator to an interpreter, combining his profound understanding of the legal system with practical application to provide professional legal services to clients. His political and business network also provides non legal commercial resource support for his clients, earning him widespread trust and a good reputation in the legal industry.
Mr. Wang Guozhong's career spans across political and legal circles. He is not only a successful politician and lawyer, but also a social activist who tirelessly strives for social equity, cultural diversity, and immigration rights. He has been closely connected with both new and old immigrant communities for decades, always speaking out for the prosperity of multiculturalism and the interests of immigrant communities. He is recognized as an outstanding representative of the Australian Chinese community.