Australian Capital Territory（Australian）

Australian Capital Territory（Australian）

[Overview] The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the political center of Australia, consists of Canberra, the capital city, and surrounding areas. Located in the southeast of the country, the ACT covers an area of 2,358 square kilometers and is home to a population of 420,900.

[Politics] The ACT has a local parliament, generally known as the Legislative Assembly, which has 25 members. Being a unique local parliament, the Legislative Assembly performs the functions of state parliament (e.g. education and healthcare) as well as those of city councils (e.g. garbage management). The ACT government is headed by the chief minister selected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of four years. The incumbent chief minister Andrew Barr came into office in October 2016. 

[Economy] The ACT is where the federal parliament and government departments are based, and the major industries here include administrative service, construction and education.

[Culture and Education] The ACT boasts rich educational resources. It is home to a number of prestigious universities, including the Australian National University, University of Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology and Australian Defence Force Academy. The Australian Academy of Science, Royal Military College and other research institutes as well as the National Library of Australia and National Gallery of Australia are also based in the ACT.

[Relations with Beijing] Beijing and the ACT established a sister-city relationship on September 14, 2000. Since then the two sides have worked together fruitfully in such areas as public facilities and culture. 

Public Facilities: In November 2014, the Beijing Garden, a project sponsored by Beijing in the ACT, was completed. This garden merges China's traditional architectural elements with the local environment, and perfectly embodies the concept of “man at one with nature” valued by classical Chinese gardening. The project has become a window to showcase the Chinese culture and an eternal witness to the friendship between the two countries and the two capital cities.

Culture: During the Australian National Multicultural Festival held in the ACT in February 2006, the Beijing Modern and Contemporary Dance Company staged a dance show called “Impression of Beijing.” In 2014, Beijing held an exhibition in the ACT that demonstrated classical Chinese gardens imbued with traditional cultural charm. In February 2015, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture held the Happy Spring Festival concert in the ACT.

澳大利亚首都领地（澳大利亚）

【概况】澳大利亚首都领地包括澳首都堪培拉市及周边地区，是澳政治中心。位于澳东南部，面积2358平方公里，人口42.09万。

【政治】首都领地设地方议会，称为立法院，由25名议员组成。该立法院是澳大利亚独特的地方议会，同时行使州议会职能（如教育和卫生等）和城市议会职能（如垃圾管理等）。首都领地政府行政长官为首席部长，由立法院选举产生，任期4年。现任首席部长安德鲁·巴尔，于2016年10月就职。

【经济】首都领地是联邦议会和政府部门所在地，主要产业包括行政服务、建筑业和教育。

【文化教育】教育资源丰富，主要大学有澳大利亚国立大学、堪培拉大学、堪培拉技术学院、澳大利亚国防学院。澳大利亚科学院、皇家军事科学院等科研机构以及澳大利亚图书馆和澳大利亚国立美术馆均设在首都领地。

【两地交往】2000年9月14日，北京市与澳大利亚首都领地正式建立友好城市关系。双方在城建、人文等领域开展了大量合作。

城建领域：2014年11月，我市在首都领地建设的“北京花园”正式竣工。“北京花园”实现了中国传统建筑语言与周边自然环境的有机结合，体现了中国古典园林“天人合一”的理念，该项目已成为展示中国文化的窗口，更是两国以及两国首都人民友谊的永久见证。

人文领域：2006年2月，北京现代舞团赴首都领地参加“多元文化节”，并举办“北京印象”现代舞专场演出。2014年，我市在首都领地举办了《园林北京－中华古典园林建筑展》，展示了具有中国传统文化特色的园林建筑。2015年2月，我市文化局在首都领地举办“欢乐春节”音乐会。

（Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government）