"Time waits for no man, and the seasons keep changing." As we usher into 2025, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne, I would like to extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to friends of all walks of life in the state of Victoria and Tasmania.

2024 is my first year in Melbourne as Chinese Consul General. It coincides with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Australia and the establishment of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In 2024, we have received “good news” one after another and experienced numerous “memorable moments” together.

We have witnessed the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China drawing up a grand blueprint for further comprehensively deepening reform, the steadily advancement of China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics breaking new ground. China has taken solid steps toward the Chinese modernization.

We have witnessed the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Australia.  Bilateral dialogues across various fields have resumed, and cooperation has become the mainstream. China-Australia relations have achieved a comprehensive turnaround on the basis of consolidation and development.

We have witnessed the visits led by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Deputy Premier of Victoria, Hon. Ben Carroll and Premier of Tasmania, Hon. Jeremy Rockliff to China. China continues to be the largest trading partner of the two states. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have experienced substantial growth. Sub-national cooperation has maintained strong momentum. Bilateral cooperation has reached to a new height. Together we firmly implemented the strategic consensus reached by the two countries' leaders and outcomes of Premier Li’s visit, grandly celebrated the 10th  anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to Tasmania and the establishment of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, so as to contribute to the China-Victoria, China-Tasmania cooperation and the development of China-Australia relations.

Here I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all friends who support the development of China-Australia relations, China-Victoria and China-Tasmania cooperation and the work of the Consulate General.

In the new year, I and my colleagues will continue to work with state government, local councils, and all good friends to further promote our relationship and jointly create a brighter future for the China-Australia relations!

I wish you all a joyous new year, every happiness and good health in the future.