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Statement by Consul General Dong Zhihua at the Reception of ACBC WA Branch and CCCA Perth marking the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
2019-10-04 11:39

( 3 October 2019, Government House, Perth)

 

Hon Minister Peter Tinley, AM, MLA, Minister for Housing, Veterans Issues, Youth, Asian Engagement,

Mr. Adam Hadley, President of WA Australian China Business Council(ACBC),

Mr. Sun Xiaoxuan, President of China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (Perth Branch),

Ms. Marie Taylor, Noongar Elder,

Madam Yu Huiwen, Shanghai Charity Foundation,

Ms. Jessica Machin, Executive Director of West Australian Ballet,

Mr. Alison Terry, Group Manager Corporate Affairs, Fortescue Metals Group,

Dear friends and business leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's always a great pleasure for me to join the WA business community from both sides. As I said many times you are the ballast of our bilateral relations and most enthusiastic supporter during the past decades. I wish to thank Adam and Xiaoxun, as well as ACBC WA and CCCA Perth for carrying on this tradition of celebrating the Chinese National Day. This year is even more special. Again at the Government House within one month, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the people's Republic of China. And I thank Minister Tinley for his presence and strong support to our bilateral relations.

I guess many of you have watched the magnificent parade and cultural performance at Tiananmen Square on the 1 October, a stunning demonstration of unity and love of the 1.4 billion Chinese people towards their motherland. As an ordinary Chinese, even though I am far away here in Perth, I shared the pride and joy like most of my compatriots and I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of good wishes from the celebrations throughout China and all over the world.

Over the past 70 years, the Chinese People have stood up, become prosperous and grown in strength. No one knows better than us, what a remarkable journey that China has gone through, and how our lives have been transformed during the past 70 years. No one knows better than us, how much sacrifice and efforts we have made and how many difficulties we have overcome to achieve this epic progress. No one knows better than us, which Party leads us the best and what kind of social system that suits us the best.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Sino-Australia relationship stands at a crossroads, for better or for worse, which will have an impact on the future of our people and our country. We look at the Morrison government. And I see hope as Prime Minister Morrison sent a congratulatory message to everyone celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, and I quote, "Here in Australia, we can be proud of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership we share with China. Our nations are long-standing economic partners with highly complementary economies".

And I see hope in you. Because you understand the importance of our relationship and see the once in a life time opportunity in sustaining the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. And you have the resources and capacity to contribute to this relationship. I hope you will stand out as business leaders at this critical juncture to protect our relationship and further enhance and enrich it. This is not a favor to anyone. It is in the fundamental interests of both our countries and peoples.

Dear friends and distinguished guests,

And there will be a long journey ahead. China is not a newly developed country. We are still developing. China's per capita GDP is less than US$10,000, only 17% of Australia, ranking behind the 70th in the world. While we are moving forward towards great national rejuvenation, we are committed to building a community of shared future for mankind with all other countries in the world, as proposed by President Xi Jinping.

With the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) successfully held in Shanghai, China has demonstrated its commitment to trade liberalization and opening-up of its market. The Second CIIE will be held soon in November this year. China will continue to significantly expand market access, strengthen IPR protection, and do more to increase imports, viewing all companies, both Chinese and foreign, as equals.

Dear friends from the business community,

With the trial flight of China Eastern from Shanghai to Perth commencing from 15 January next year during the Chinese Spring Festival, I strongly encourage you to take your company and family members for a two-way travel, to make sure that all the trial flights are fully booked and help China Eastern make the decision to turn it into a regular one.

And I encourage you to be innovative and bring the best specialties of WA to Shanghai, in addition to the Premier and Minister Papalia, the lobsters and wines, and as I said in my Facebook and Twitter accounts, bringing the image of Quakka may be very auspicious, as we are to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rat in 2020!

Finally may I send my heartfelt best wishes to my great motherland China. May I express my best wishes to WA-China relations. May I wish the WA and Chinese business community flourish in wealth and prosperity. I wish all of you benefit even more from stronger bonds between our two countries and WA and China in particular.

I thank you.

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