（26 September 2024, 19:00, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre)
Honorable Deputy Premier Cameron Dick,
Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner,
Distinguished guests and friends,
Good evening!
Welcome to the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and is a critical year for advancing Chinese modernization. The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude on the path of Chinese modernization. China has solidified its economic recovery, promoted high-quality growth, accelerated the development of new productive forces, continuously improved the well-being of its people, and maintained social harmony and stability, writing a new chapter in Chinese modernization.
China’s high-quality development injects new impetus into global economic growth and provides greater certainty to the world through an open posture. For years, China has ranked among the top in economic growth among major economies, contributing approximately 30% to global economic growth, while renowned Chinese manufacturing ensures stability in global supply chains and serves as a stabilizing force for world economic growth through its supersize market and high-quality workforce.
In 2023, China’s GDP grew 223 times compared to 1952, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. China has been the largest contributor to global economic growth for many consecutive years and remains a key trading partner for nearly 200 economies. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.0%, further consolidating the positive trend of its economic development.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's state visit to Australia and the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Australia. In 2014, President Xi Jinping was invited to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brisbane, held at the same venue as today’s event. Reflecting on the past decade, the most significant lesson is the importance of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to work with Australia to maintain and develop the current hard-won positive momentum in our relations, striving to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that benefits both peoples.
In June, Premier Li Qiang successfully visited Australia and co-chaired the 9th China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This visit was productive and significant, injecting new impetus into the development of bilateral relations as well as cooperation across various fields and promoting the steady and long-term development of China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
China-Australia relations have five major characteristics, which can be summarized as ABCDE:
A is for adjacency. Both China and Australia are important nations in the Asia-Pacific region, which is the most dynamic and promising region in the world.
B is for benefit. China and Australia have no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest and should be good partners for win-win cooperation.
C is for complementarity. China-Australia economic and trade relations are highly complementary, and China has been Australia's largest trading partner for many years in a row. About 80 per cent of Australia's foreign trade surplus comes from trade with China.
D is for dialogue. Both Chinese and Australian cultures embody the idea of diversity in unity. The common interests between our two countries far outweigh our differences.
E is for engagement. Separation harms both, while cooperation yields mutual benefit. Ongoing engagement strengthens the resilience of China-Australia relations. The achievements made since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 50 years ago clearly demonstrate that improving and developing our relationship aligns with the fundamental interests of our peoples.
In July, the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held, a milestone meeting held at a crucial time for China's future. The session adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, and proposed over 300 important reform measures.
China needs peace, China maintains peace. China is endeavoring to build itself into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization. This path not only leads to a better and happier life for the Chinese people but also promotes justice and development for global peace. We are moving forward with unwavering determination and confidence along this bright path.
China will adhere to the basic state policy of opening up, continue to promote reform through opening up, leverage the advantages of its supersize market, enhance its capacity for opening up through expanding international cooperation, and build new systems for a higher-standard open economy. Chinese modernization will bring new and vast opportunities for China-Australia, China-Queensland cooperation and development.
The glorious yet anguished history has shaped today's China and constructed its contemporary character. It is a historical fact and international consensus that Taiwan belongs to China. The Australian government has explicitly recognized the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government of China in the Joint Communique establishing diplomatic relations and acknowledges the stance of the Chinese government regarding Taiwan as a province of China. The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 has made it crystal clear that China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations. The complete reunification of China is an unstoppable trend and a shared aspiration of all Chinese people. aligning with the will of the people. This historical task will surely be accomplished!
During my over two years as Consul General in Brisbane, I have visited various regions of Queensland and deeply felt the strong foundation for cooperation and sincere friendship between the two sides. For many years in a row, China has been Queensland’s largest trading partner and the largest source of international students. China and Queensland have established more than 20 pairs of sister relationship between provinces, states and cities. Direct flights between Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Brisbane have been launched, and the arrival of Chinese tourists will further promote the tourism industry in Queensland, enhancing mutual understanding between our peoples.
Recently, I participated in several Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations and felt the deep affection, nostalgia, and camaraderie among the overseas Chinese in Queensland. The cultural exchanges between China and Queensland have deep roots and are vibrant. Overseas Chinese have made significant efforts to build harmonious communities and promote Chinese culture; their contributions to Australia’s multicultural society deserve to be remembered. I hope the overseas Chinese community will, as always, continue to carry forward the spirit of unity, friendship and endeavour, contributing to the deepening of China-Australia friendship.
My colleagues and I will continue to adhere to the guiding principle of "diplomacy for the people", work with greater enthusiasm and diligence to provide more considerate and convenient services to the overseas Chinese, international students, and Chinese enterprises, care for the well-being and rights of the overseas Chinese, and make greater contributions to the extensive cooperation between China and Queensland.
Distinguished guests and friends,
Currently, China-Australia and China-Queensland cooperation is vibrant and flourishing. Starting July 1 this year, China has included Australia in its visa-free “circle of friends”. Both sides have agreed to provide reciprocal access to 3-5-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and visiting family members. We welcome more friends from all sectors to visit China, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, and work together to take China-Australia relations to a new level.
Wish our great motherland prosperity!
Wish the China-Australia and China-Queensland friendship enduring!
Wish all guests and friends happiness and health!
Thank you very much!
