About us

About the Chamber 

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of The Northern Territory of Australia Inc (CCCNTA)is a non -for-profit organization jointly formed by Australian Chinese, Overseas Chinese and Overseas Chinese businessmen, representing Chinese investors across the Northern Territory. CCCNTA is located in Darwin and is run by a voluntary board of directors, with support of volunteers.

Mr. Alan Jape is the first president of CCCNTA.

The business charter of the CCCNTA covers a wide range of industries including energy, mining, trade, finance, transportation, real estate, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and animal husbandry. CCCNTA aims to increase trade, investment and business activities by assisting NT and Chinese companies, professionals and the general public to better understand the business environment and cultural traditions in Australia and Asia.

CCCNTA will assist both NT and Chinese companies to connect with business partners, and facilitate collaboration with government departments. We intend to achieve it by hosting seminars, workshops and conferences, leading trade missions and diplomatic delegation and facilitating social events to promote networking.

CCCNTA’s members include organisations conducting business in/with greater China (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.

The objectives and purposes of the Chamber: 

  1. To promote and advance the interests of the Chinese business community in the Northern Territory (‘NT’) including sole traders, partnerships, associations, corporations and other entities.
  2. To promote the development of trade and investment for the NT Chinese business community.
  3. To provide networking opportunities for the NT Chinese business community.
  4. To facilitate communication and information sharing to assist the NT Chinese business community.
  5. To provide education and awareness of business culture, practices and the regulatory environment to assist the NT Chinese business community

Address: Office 4 - 5, JHV 5, 1st Floor, Jape Homemaker Village 356-366 Bagot Road, Millner NT 0810 Australia

 

Committee members

Connie Jape JP

President

Connie has over 45 years’ experience in Sales & Marketing, particularly in the retail and hospitality.  She has also successfully operated her own Gold Plate awarding restaurant for 10 years and is currently the Director of the independent retail store, Jape Furnishing Superstore, and franchise outlet, Forty Winks Darwin.  The Jape Furnishing Superstore was a category winner at the Telstra Business Award in 2008 and 2010.

She has served as a board member for Chamber of Commerce NT, Australia Day Council and Top End Health Service from 2014 to 2017 which governs 3 hospital and health service delivery to Top End of Australia.  She is currently serving Territorians as Justice of Peace since 2011, Also President for Chinese Chamber of Commerce NT of Australia since 2021.        

  

                                                      

Alan Jape JP

Lifetime Honorary President

Alan is the Chairman of Jape Group, a leading family-owned enterprise with diverse investments across property, construction, retail, hospitality, and tourism. He joined Jape Group in 1978 and played a pivotal role in its growth, serving as Managing Director of Jape Group Australia from the late 1980s before becoming the Group’s Chairman in 2022.

He served on the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Advisory Board in 2016 and has been a Justice of Peace in Australia. As the first President anda lifetime honorary President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory Australia (CCCNTA), he played a key role in fostering trade, investment, and cultural understanding between the NT and Asia, earning him the title of lifetime honorary President. His commitment to strengthening international ties also led to his election as Chairman of the Sister City Committee with Darwin City Council in 2020, further enhancing Darwin’s global partnerships.

                 

Jiayun Li (Lee)

Vice President

Jiayun Li (Lee) is the Founder and Director of Northern Trade Solutions Pty Ltd, established in 2010, and Northern Glass Solutions, established in 2025. With over 25 years of experience in the building and construction industry, he has developed strong expertise in project management, contract negotiation, design coordination, and project delivery.

Lee is a licensed builder and also serves as a committee member of Master Builders Northern Territory (MBANT). Under his leadership, the business has grown from a team of four to more than 150 staff and has successfully delivered major projects across the commercial, residential, government, and Defence sectors.

The company has received significant industry recognition, including the 2019 Telstra Northern Territory Business of the Year Award and numerous Master Builders Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. Lee is known for his hands-on leadership, practical industry knowledge, and commitment to delivering quality outcomes. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Ben Cheng 

Vice President

Ben Cheng, Senior Representative of Landbridge Australia, Executive Director of Darwin Port, and Director of Westside Corporation. He is responsible for overseeing Landbridge’s infrastructure and energy investments across Australia and New Zealand, as well as commercial property developments, including day-to-day operational oversight, board-level decision-making, and strategic direction setting . 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Steve Morandini

Vice President

Steve is the Director of the Morandini Group of Companies,  a family-owned company overseeing industrial and hospitality developments, strategic asset management, and rural landholdings.

An experienced property professional and business owner with a comprehensive background (15 years combined education and experience) in built environments, property development, and asset management. Areas of focus include industrial sectors, as well as leisure and hospitality.

Studied at RMIT University Melbourne (Bachelor with Honours graduating in 2015) under the supervision of Dr David Higgins, Professor of Property Investment, an internationally recognised academic who has held visiting professorships at leading Chinese institutions including Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Xiamen University.

                                                                                                                                     

 

​Debbie Bear

Treasurer

Debbie Bear (nee Chin) is a Darwin-born businesswoman with deep family roots in the Northern Territory dating back to the 1870s. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she has built and managed successful ventures across diverse industries, earning a reputation for innovation, practical problem-solving, and leadership. Debbie is passionate about supporting business growth and fostering meaningful community connections. In 2023, she joined the Chinese Chamber of Commerce NT as Treasurer and is also a member of the Chung Wah Society. With decades of experience, she is committed to integrity, collaboration, and creating lasting value through trusted relationships and forward-thinking business practices.

                                                                                                                                     

 

Daryl Guppy 

Consultant

Daryl is internationally recognised for China analysis with media columns throughout Asia and China.

A national board  member of the Australia China Business Council for 16 years, he also advised the Chief Ministers’ Department and other Ministers on China matters.

He is a 20 year International Business Council board member. He is Deputy Secretary General of the RCEP-WHCA and chair of the Confucius Institute advisory committee. He speaks at ASEAN and APEC forums and was board advisor to the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce. He is director of Guppytraders and AlgobotTrading Singapore.

He is a financial market expert with 14 books.   

                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Muyang Tian

Public Officer

Muyang is a Darwin-based, Mandarin-speaking lawyer at Ward Keller, with a practice focused primarily on commercial law. She is a member of The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA), admitted to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, and entered on the Register of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia. With an understanding of both Chinese and Australian business contexts, Muyang supports Chinese businesses seeking to establish and grow in Australia.     

                                                      

 

Crystal Lu

Secretary

Xin Lu (Crystal) is the Finance Manager at Northern Trade Solutions Pty Ltd in Darwin. She oversees financial operations, contract administration, cash flow, reporting, and compliance across a range of projects. Crystal is a qualified CA with experience in tax compliance and financial reporting. She holds an MBA from Charles Darwin University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Sydney, bringing strong financial expertise and attention to detail to her role.