Hon. Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania,
Young friends,
On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne and also in my own name, I'd like to give my congratulations on the opening of the 11th Australia-China Youth Dialogue(ACYD). It’s a real delight for me to attend the opening ceremony virtually. I would like to express my appreciation to the organizers for having the vision to support this important initiative. Since the inception of the Dialogue in 2010, it has served as a platform for young talents from all walks of life in China and Australia to meet and exchange views, strengthen friendships and understanding.
The theme of this year’s ACYD is “Global Responsibility”. Let me first share with you my understanding of the world we live in.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” These are words used by the English writer Charles Dickens to describe the world after the Industrial Revolution. Today, as changes of the times combine with the once-in-a-century pandemic, the world finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. Frequent regional conflicts, global challenges like terrorism and climate change have added to the uncertainties of the world. These will definitely have impact on everyone. How to address the uncertainties and challenges of the world? How to fulfill global responsibilities? These are major issues of common concern to all governments around the world as well as to each global citizen, particularly the young generation.
For me, these issues are too big to be handled in a short speech. But please allow me to share my thinking of three C’s.
The first C stands for Conviction. Notwithstanding all vicissitudes, humanity will move on. The history of humanity is a history of achieving growth by meeting various tests and of development by overcoming various crises. The world can’t fall back to the law of jungle, seclusion or the cold war. Faced with the uncertainties of the world, we need to hold the firm conviction, foster new opportunities amidst crises, open up new horizons on a shifting landscape, and pool great strength to go through difficulties and challenges, thus making a better day for everyone.
The second C stands for Consensus. Global governance should reflect the evolving political and economic landscape in the world, conform to the historical trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and meet the practical needs in addressing global challenges. We need to embrace a global governance philosophy that emphasizes extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. We need to uphold true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. World affairs should be handled through extensive consultation, and the future of the world should be decided by all countries working together. A divided world, without the above consensus, will by no means overcome various tests and challenges.
The third C stands for Cooperation. The Earth is our one and only home. More than ever, countries around the world are like passengers aboard the same ship who share the same destiny. Whether you like it or not, global issues could only be solved through global action, response and cooperation. Confrontation only invites catastrophic consequences and leads to a dead end. The world is intricate and complex, filled with contradictions and divergences. While facing up to divergences and differences among countries, we should uphold the common values of humanity, i. e. peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. Different countries and civilizations may prosper together on the basis of respect for each other, and seek common ground and win-win outcomes by setting aside differences.
Dear young friends,
The above triple C applies to China-Australia relations as well. The first time I came to Australia was for China-Australia Dialogue on human rights. Truly, our two countries have differences in this regard. That’s why we met and exchanged views for deeper understandings and cooperation. If we held the same viewpoints, then there is no need to have this dialogue. No two leaves in the world are identical. Our two countries do have differences in history, culture and social systems. Those differences shouldn’t become barriers to our cooperation or exchanges, but rather incentives for mutual learning.
Last year, we held various celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of sister state relationship between Fujian Province and Tasmania. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. Over the past 50 years, our two countries have maintained close cooperation and exchanges in various fields, which have brought real benefits to both countries and peoples. In such an era of challenges, our two countries should, based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, build new consensus and create a better future for the two peoples rather than magnify differences and create confrontations. We hope that the two sides will work together to review the past and look into the future, make joint efforts to push the bilateral relations back on the right track.
Dear young friends,
Young people, filled with vigor, vitality and creativity, are the leaders and creators of the future. You are the hope of the world. Mankind will have a bright future when you rise to the responsibility and opportunities of the times. I hope you could see the world with appreciation and in a spirit of sharing and mutual learning, promote exchanges and harmony among different cultures. I also hope you will maintain your enthusiasm and support for China-Australia friendship and do more to promote our exchanges and friendship. I believe that if our younger peoples work together as friends and partners, that mean a lot and will make a big difference to the overall relationship between our two countries. By doing that, you will probably make “the best of times”.
In conclusion, I wish the Dialogue a great success.
Thanks.
