13 September 202

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas

Mr. Mike Jakins from Sister Cities Australia

Representatives from DFAT, WA State and local Governments

Friends from Chengdu/Sichuan Association,

Students from Chengdu,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! It is my great pleasure to attend today’s reception hosted by the City of Perth in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Chengdu-Perth Sister City relationship. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Perth and also in my name, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chengdu and Perth and sincerely hope that the sister city relations will keep momentum and grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

The lighting show of the giant panda is marvelous, which will make many Chinese especially Chengdu natives in Perth homesick. Thank you Lord Mayor and through you to the City Council for this considerate arrangement. Lord Mayor, we are glad to see that, under your distinguished leadership of nearly 2 years, Perth, the City of Light has become a more vibrant and exciting place to live, work and visit. Lord Mayor, your devotion to multiculturalism has seen Chinese communities thrive in Perth and your heartening Chinese Year of the Tiger greetings virtually delivered in our Consulate General’s online Spring Festival Reception have endowed local Chinese Australians with great confidence to further contribute to China-Australia friendship and WA economic, social and multicultural development.  

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is home to the world’s oldest hydraulic engineering feat in Dujiangyan and the ancestral homeland to giant pandas. Giant pandas are China’s national treasures serving as our envoys of friendship to the world. Chengdu holds the title of “Best Tourist City in China” by the World Tourism Organization and became the world’s second UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2010 as the center of Sichuan cuisine which is famous for its spicy and fiery taste. As described by Mayor Mr. Wang Fengchao, Chengdu, also enjoys good reputation of a highly livable city. As the heart of southwestern China, Chengdu has been referred to as the “Land of Abundance” since antiquity, nowadays it maintains the status as an economic driver, a hub of technology and finance as well as a center of culture and innovation in China.

The Chengdu-Perth Sister City relationship is mutually beneficial indeed.  During the past 10 years, this relationship has promoted social and economic development, facilitated cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and enhanced the visibility and popularity of both cities in the region, which has delivered tangible benefits to the people of the two cities.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,

Since I assumed office in Perth last December, I have met with Western Australians from all walks of life. And I feel strongly about the hospitality and kindness of the Australian people towards China and Chinese people. It’s common sense in WA that a sound, stable, friendly and cooperative relationship between China and Australia is in the fundamental interests of our two countries and  conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. During the past 5 decades, contacts and exchanges at all levels and in all fields have been very frequent, friendship and mutual trust have been constantly enhanced. Bilateral cooperation has not only given a strong boost to China’s  economic and social development, but also brought prosperity to Australia’s mining, agriculture, education, tourism among others. The ore and energy trade between China and WA is an exemplary model of win-win cooperation.

And friendship among local governments has always been the source of strength for the development of China Australia relations. Over the past 5 decades, China and Australia have established over 100 pairs of sister provinces/states and cities. In Western Australia there are as many as 20 pairs of sister city relations with China. At the historic juncture looking into the next 50 years of China Australia friendship, we should further tap the potential of sister provinces/states and cities friendship network and lay sound foundation for China Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

50 years ago, great leaders from China and Australia made epoch in establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries. Now the baton of developing China-Australia relations is passed on to us. This is both an honor and a responsibility. The road ahead will not be without difficulties, but we must move forward with fearless confidence and concerted efforts. The Chinese Consulate General in Perth is ready to work with the City of Perth, the WA State Government and friends from all sectors to forge ahead and create a better future for our bilateral relations.

May the friendship between Chinese and Australian people last forever.

Thank you.