Speech by Acting Consul General Zeng Jianhua at the Online Reception in celebration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
2022-09-30 08:56

Dear friends,

It’s a great pleasure to meet you online to jointly celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I wish to extend festive greetings to all overseas Chinese, Chinese students and staff members of Chinese companies in Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. To all the friends who have the unfailing care and support of China’s development and China-Australia friendship, I give you my heart-felt thanks and sincere appreciations.

Over the past 73 years, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), forged ahead and worked hard over generations, thus making great achievements in development. As a result, the Chinese nation has realized the tremendous transformation from standing up to growing prosperous to becoming strong and is on the way to the nation rejuvenation. The year 2022 is a critical year for the Chinese people as they strive towards the second centenary goal.

We successfully hosted the Beijing Winter Olympics. China has overcome various difficulties and challenges including COVID-19, taken concrete actions to earnestly fulfill its solemn pledge to the international community, and delivered to the world a streamlined, safe and splendid Games. The Beijing Winter Olympics is the first Winter Games after “Together” was integrated into the Olympic motto, as well as the first international multi-sport event held as scheduled since the outbreak of COVID-19. The Beijing Games has demonstrated the strength and beauty of solidarity to the world.

We have taken well-coordinated steps to respond to COVID-19 and pursue economic and social development. China follows the dynamic zero-COVID approach, provides maximum protection to people’s lives and health and minimizes the impact of the pandemic on economic and social development. For over two years, the infection rate and mortality rate in China, a country with 1.4 billion population, have remained the lowest in the world. In the first half of this year, China overcame difficulties and maintained growth in economy, with GDP increasing by 2.5% year on year. In the first 8 months, China’s foreign trade imports and exports increased by 10.1% year on year. The impact of the pandemic is short-term, and has not caused problems for the economy from within. The basic features of China’s economy-great resilience, huge potential and long-term steady performance-remain unchanged.

On 16th October of this year, the CPC will convene its 20th National Congress, which will chart the course for the next phrase of China’s development and usher in a new journey towards building a great modern socialist country in all aspects. We will ground our efforts in the new development stage, apply the new development philosophy, foster a new pattern of development and strive to achieve high-quality development. China will continue to pursue opening-up against higher standards, develop new systems for a higher-standard open economy, foster a market and law based and internationalized business environment, implement the RCEP with high-standards, and offer more market and cooperation opportunities to other countries in the world.

Dear friends,

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. Looking back the past five decades, despite many twists and turns, the relations between China and Australia have kept moving forward as a whole. The fruitful exchange and cooperation in various areas between our two countries have brought real benefits to our two peoples. Notwithstanding different political and social systems between China and Australia, we two countries could pursue common development on the basis of mutual respect, and achieve win-win cooperation on the basis of seeking common ground while reserving differences. A healthy and steady development of China-Australia relations serves fundamental interests and common aspirations of our two peoples. We sincerely hope that the Australian side will, in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit, work together with the Chinese side in the same direction and push China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership back on the right track.

Sub-national cooperation plays a fundamental and strongly supportive role in China-Australia relations. Over the years, China has maintained sound exchanges and cooperation with Victoria and Tasmania. This year, we jointly held various celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of sister-city relations between Nanjing and Melbourne, and 5th anniversary between Fuzhou and Hobart. The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting for Cooperation and Development between Fujian and Tasmania was held. In the future, we are ready to work with all walks of life in Victoria and Tasmania, promote friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, thus injecting more positive energy into the development of China-Australia relations.

Dear friends,

For over two years, many overseas Chinese in Victoria and Tasmania have actively supported the fight against COVID-19 both in China and here in Australia, and continued to make contributions to friendship between our two peoples. Life here has restored to normal, but the pandemic hasn’t gone away. I hope overseas Chinese in Victoria and Tasmania will continue to strengthen pandemic prevention and stay safe and healthy. I also hope that the Chinese community here will continue to serve as linking bridge and contribute more to the friendship between our two countries and mutual understanding between our two peoples. The Consulate General will as always offer quality services and strong support for Chinese citizens, Chinese students and companies in Victoria and Tasmania.

To conclude, may China be prosperous and strong, and the Chinese people be happy and healthy! May the friendship between our two peoples last forever! Wish everyone health, happiness and prosperity.

Thank you!


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