Ambassador Fu Ying making the speech

On 9 February, Chinese Lunar New Year's day, the Chinese Embassy in Australia was decked out with lanterns and bunting. With the backdrop of flaming lanterns and Chinese knots, a grand Spring Festival "Open Day" held by the Chinese Embassy was getting under way to celebrate the joyous traditional Chinese Spring Festival. Among more than 1200 people who attended the occasion were Australian Minister for Trade Mr. Mark Vaile, Minister for Defense Senator Robert, Attorney General Mr. Philip Ruddock, Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Senator Amande Vanstone, Minister for Legal and Customs Affairs Mr. Ellisom, Minister for Fishery, Forestry and Natural Resources Protection Mr. Ian McDonald, Chief Minister of ACT Jon Stanhope, Foreign Affairs Spokesman Mr. Kevin Rudd of the opposition as well as friends of Australian industries, representatives of overseas Chinese communities and students and Chinese enterprises based in Australia and their families. A large number of guests have made special trips to take part in this special event in Canberra from other places such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Ambassador Fu Ying Marking eyes of the "Lion"

In her speech, Ambassador Fu Ying expressed her best wishes for everyone in the Chinese New Year as well as her thanks to the guests for participating the celebration in the Chinese Embassy. She said that Spring Festival is the occasion for reunion of the whole family. We were very pleased to have the opportunity of inviting overseas Chinese, overseas students and experts in Australia to come along to the Embassy to join the celebration of Chinese Spring Festival. There were also many Australian friends who have attended to share the joy of festival with us. The past year has witnessed the great progress in the Sino-Australia relationship. The bilateral trade has been growing by a rate exceeding 50% and there have been significant increase in the number of mutual contacts and exchange of visits. In November 2004 alone, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have respectively met with Prime Minister John Howard and both sides have expressed their wishes to strengthen friendly cooperative relationship. By quoting the Spring Festival couplet at the entrance of the Embassy's Hall, Mme Fu conveyed her best wishes for the everlasting friendship between the people in both nations.

Ambassador Fu Ying being together with

Minister for Trade Mr. Mark Vaile and Chief Minister of ACT Jon Stanhope

On behalf of the Australian Federal Government, Minister for Trade Hon. Mark Vaile delivered a speech brimming with warm feeling. He spoke highly of China's international status and role. In his view, one of the most important and most positive developments over the past 25 years is that China has emerged as a major regional and global economic and political power at the international stage. China has been increasingly playing constructive and positive role in the international affairs such as provision of disaster relief for Indian Ocean tsunami, North Korea nuclear issue and multi-lateral trade negotiation. As the world's sixth largest economic power and the fourth largest trading nation, China has been transforming the global landscape of international trade, investment and production. Vaile stressed that enhancing Sino-Australia relationship and widening the cooperation field have been top priority in the policy-making of Australian government. "One China" policy would remain the fundamental factor in Australian relationship with China. There has never been a better relationship like today between the two nations. Vaile entertained a firm belief that the Sino-Australia relationship would make greater progress and achievement when we enter the New Year.

Cai Dan Zhuo Ma singing on the stage

On the "Open Day", the Tibetan song and dance teemed with rich style of the ethnic group were performed by the Shan Nan Ya Long Art Ensemble. The brilliant performance by artists such as Cai Dan Zhuo Ma constantly drew loud applause from the crowd. Large numbers of guests have been attracted to diverse activities including performance of weaving Chinese-knot, handwriting of Spring Festival couplets, riddle-guessing with prizes, exhibition of China's education and scenery photographs as well as charity bazaar of Chinese works of art. The participants have been deeply impressed by the extensive and distinctive scope of traditional Chinese culture. Minister Vanstone showed deep interest in the Chinese Spring Festival couplet. Much to her contentment, she has been able to personally select several pieces of couplets for her trip home. In expressing his congratulation, a handicraftsman has spent over 20 days in making a giant Chinese-knot to be sent to the Embassy. The "Open Day" has seen a large number of visitors, many of whom were people of senior positions and distinguished status. While the activities have showcased the rich and kaleidoscopic traditional Chinese culture, the "Open Day" was a significant reflection of the family-like solidarity and harmony of the Chinese nation and the current closeness in the Sino-Australia relationship. The "Open Day" was a great success with extensive positive feedback from all sides.