Sydney’s Chinatown welcomed a new cultural landmark today with the official opening of the Museum of Chinese in Australia, a project supported by the Albanese Government to preserve and showcase the history, heritage, and contributions of Chinese Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined dignitaries, community leaders, and members of the Chinese Australian community at the former Haymarket Library, a heritage-listed building with over 180 years of history, for the launch. The museum’s adaptation of the three-storey site includes exhibition galleries, a library, archives, and public program spaces.
“The Chinese Australian community is a powerful example of how when people come to our nation seeking a better life, they make this a better country for all of us,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“This museum will celebrate a vital thread through the history of our modern nation. I can’t think of a better site than Haymarket – a place synonymous with the Chinese-Australian story – or a more fitting time of year to open it.”
The project received $2.6 million in federal funding and additional support from the City of Sydney, the NSW Government, and generous contributions from the Chinese Australian community, including a $4 million donation from the Pang sisters.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek highlighted the museum’s role in preserving stories of achievement and resilience. “Labor understands that Australia’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths.”
“This is a place to preserve the stories, struggles, and achievements of Chinese Australians and to remind us of all the richness they bring to our shared history,” she said.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly added, “The Museum of Chinese in Australia will stand as a cultural landmark in Sydney’s Chinatown as a place of connection, reflection, and celebration.”
“It shines a light on individuals and families whose stories of ambition, resilience, and determination are central to Australia’s nation-building journey.”
Prime Minister Albanese reflected on the deep historical ties between Chinese Australians and the city, noting contributions across business, culture, medicine, and science. “Stories are at the heart of how a nation understands itself. This museum ensures these stories are remembered and celebrated,” he said.
Opening during Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse, the museum symbolises not only the celebration of Chinese culture but also the ongoing commitment of the Albanese Government to multiculturalism and community infrastructure that preserves Australia’s shared history.
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