Secretary Jan Adams of DFAT,

Dear colleagues from the diplomatic corps,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon! Thank you all for your presence at the reception. My special thanks go to those who made their trip from Sydney, Melbourne and other cities.

Tomorrow will mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Seventy-three years ago in 1949,  New China was founded, putting an end to an old China of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, embarking on a path of independent and peaceful development. Forty-four years ago in 1978, China started its reform and opening up to the outside world, paving its way to a booming socialist market economy. Ten years ago in 2012, the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held, China’s socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a new era, opening up brighter prospects for China’s modernization drive.

In the past 10 years, China’s economy has grown at an annual rate of 6.6% on average, accounting for 18.5% of the world’s total. China’s GDP per capita exceeded 10,000 US dollars in the recent 3 consecutive years, and its middle-income group exceeded 400 million people. China has achieved its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and has historically eliminating absolute poverty. China has taken firm steps towards a green and low-carbon economy. As the world’s largest producer and consumer of solar and wind power, China has pledged to strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, by implementing a science-based policy with great precision, China has not only saved millions of people’s lives but also maintained a positive momentum of economic recovery. 

In the past 10 years, China has been upholding its concept of building a community with shared future for mankind, pursuing its major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and making positive contributions to world peace and development. China’s average contribution to global economic growth exceeded 30%, and China has become the largest trading partner of more than 130 countries and regions. In 2021, China's trade in goods and services totaled 6.9 trillion U.S. dollars, securing its top position globally. China’s paid-in FDI reached 1.1 trillion yuan, ranking the second worldwide. China is now the second largest contributor to the UN regular budget and the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of UN Security Council. With the support and joint efforts of 149 countries and 32 international organizations, the Belt and Road Initiative has become a “belt of prosperity” and a “road of happiness”. China has proposed the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, contributing China’s solutions and wisdom to resolving the deficits in global governance.

On October 16, the Communist Party of China will convene its 20th National Congress, a very important meeting to be held at a crucial moment in China’s new journey of building a socialist modern country in all respects. The Congress will lay out blueprints for the undertakings of the Party and the country in the next five years and beyond. We are fully confident in the success of the Congress, and fully confident in the bright future of China’s development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year is important in the history of China-Australia relations, as we are about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The past 50 years have fully demonstrated that the nature of the relationship between China and Australia is mutually beneficial. There have been frequent interactions in various areas and at various levels. Our practical cooperation has made outstanding achievements. The past decade in particular, has witnessed rapid development of China-Australia relations: we established comprehensive strategic partnership; China remained Australia’s largest trading partner for 7 consecutive years; our bilateral trade reached 207.33 billion US dollars in 2021, accounting for 34.2% of Australia’s total foreign trade; China became Australia’s largest source of inbound tourists and tourist spending, as well as the largest source of international students. China-Australia relationship has largely been a successful story of friendship and cooperation.

Since the new Labor government came to power after the recent federal election, we have seen a good start to reset the China-Australia relationship. The high-level exchanges and contacts have been productive, reaffirming very important consensus between the two countries. The bilateral meetings between the two foreign ministers in Bali and New York have been constructive and productive. A sound and healthy relationship between China and Australia serves the fundamental interest of the two countries and two peoples. It is our strong belief that, as long as both sides take concrete actions and move towards each other in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit, we’ll be able to bring China-Australia relations back on the right track at an early date. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you again for you presence. Let me conclude by wishing everybody good health and happiness.