Famous Australian sinologist Marklin passed away at the age of 87
Quick Look
- Colin Mackerras, a famous Australian sinologist, died of illness in Brisbane on the evening of October 8, local time, at the age of 87.
- He has long been committed to cultural exchanges between China and Australia and has won honors such as the Chinese Government Friendship Award.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Macklin is a well-known Australian sinologist who has long been engaged in research on Chinese history and culture and promoted academic exchanges between China and Australia. He has visited China many times and received honorary awards from the Chinese government.
China News Service, Sydney, October 9 (Reporter Bo Wenwen) Colin Mackerras, a famous Australian sinologist, died of illness in Brisbane on the evening of October 8, local time, at the age of 87.
Several members of the Australia-China Friendship Association confirmed the news to reporters. Marklin's son Stephen said in a message to relatives and friends that his father lived a wonderful life. Currently, funeral arrangements are still being made.
On June 6, 2026, Australian sinologist Colin Mackerras gave a keynote speech at the National Congress and 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Australia-China Friendship Association. Photo by China News Service reporter Bo Wenwen
Marklin was born in Sydney, Australia in 1939. He is an academician of the Australian Commonwealth College of Humanities and an honorary professor of Griffith University. During his early years as a student at the University of Cambridge in the UK, Marklin developed a strong interest in Chinese history and thus began his career in China research.
His research areas cover Chinese history, traditional opera, ethnic minorities, Australia-China relations, and the image of China in the Western perspective. He has long been committed to introducing Chinese history and culture to the English-speaking world and promoting academic and cultural exchanges between Australia and China.
In 1964, Marklin went to China to teach for the first time and lived in Beijing for two years. In the following more than half a century, he visited China more than 80 times, always enthusiastically traveling between Australia and China, and actively promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. He has won the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the Chinese Book Special Contribution Award, etc.
As a long-term member of the Australia-China Friendship Association, Marklin has been committed to enhancing understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries. He has called on many public occasions that Australia and China should look at each other's culture and lifestyle with appreciation, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and continuously enhance understanding and deepen mutual trust. (over)
Open Questions
- What was the specific cause of Marklin's death?
- When and where will the funeral be held?
- Does he have any unpublished academic works or research projects?
