Meanwhile, an art exhibition in Australia is challenging many of the Stereotypes facing Chinese women. "Sworn Sisters" is a unique collection of works by Chinese female artists. And organizers hope its success will ultimately help strengthen the bond between the two countries. Greg Navarro explains.

GEOFF RABY, FORMER AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "It captures the expectations of the weight."

Geoff Raby is the first to admit he has no experience as an art exhibit curator.

GEOFF RABY, FORMER AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "I had never done it before so I thought I would give it a try."

So when he was asked to create a unique collection of works for an exhibit in Sydney, Raby relied on his experience as Australia's former ambassador to China.

GEOFF RABY, FORMER AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "One of the challenges when I was an ambassador and I think is still a challenge today is to convey to Australians the contemporary reality of China."

The answer is an exhibit called Sworn Sisters featuring a group of celebrated artists who share a common bond - they're all Chinese women with a knack for breaking down stereotypes about Chinese women.

ROSE WONG, ARTIST "I'm not a mainstream Chinese woman - nobody is the mainstream, right? I'm here to show myself, an individual."

And that's just what 29-year old Rose Wong and 8 other women convey here through a mixture of mediums - including sculptures and performance art.

FENG LING, ARTIST "In my life, I have a lot of change, I have to fight as a human being, I have to fight as a woman, many challenges - it makes me know that art is the right way to live."

XIAO LU, ARTIST "When I create a new piece of work I forget about my gender, my ethnic background, everything. I only concentrate on creating new work."

From symbols of beauty to strength and power - the art here attempts to dispel myths, and offer a kind of window into the complexities that define modern Chinese women.

BOB CARR, FORMER AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER "I think we ought to work harder at understanding Chinese culture and civilization - as hard as it is because of the barriers of language and civilization and I think art has got a role to play in this."

GREG NAVARRO, SYDNEY "Organisers admit that one single event, no matter how unique, probably won't change the conversation about cultural differences, but they are hoping this one, in particular, will do its part to help change the tone."

GEOFF RABY, FORMER AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "I think part of the issues that have played out between Australia and China at high levels of diplomacy has been an unfortunate tone on both sides when making statements and responding to statements, and tone is often what the media picks up, shapes the media's interpretation of the relationship, and then can actually become self-reinforcing."

Raby says he hopes his first stab as a curator will give people the chance to see a slice of contemporary China in a way they never had before. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.