On 6th February,  Chinese Consul General Xinwen Fang attended the Chinese New Year Reception organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney. The event was also attended by around 200 guests including Mr. Ricky Chong, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Mr. Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, representing Hon. Premier Jacinta Allan, Mr. Nicolas Reece, Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Mr. Bernard Chan, Vice Chairman of West Kowloon Culture District Authority Board, state ministers, members and city councillors.

Consul General Fang extended warm Spring Festival greetings to all guests in his speech. He mentioned that China’s GDP expanded by 5 percent in 2024, in line with the country’s preset target. Solid progress has been made in the China’s high-quality development and Chinese modernization. The legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law was successfully accomplished in Hong Kong and Hong Kong has regained the position of the third largest international fiancial center in the world. Cooperation between Hong Kong and Victoria has achieved fruitful outcomes. In 2024, China-Australia exchanges and cooperation have been promoted in an orderly manner and notable progresses have been achieved. In the new year, the Consulate General stands ready to work with all walks of life to promote a better future for bilateral relations and more tangible achievements between Hong Kong and Victoria.

Mr. Ricky Chong, Mr. Tim Richardson MP, Lord Mayor Nicolas Reece wished all guests a happy new year of the snake, highly commended the close relations between Hong Kong and Victoria in fields of trade and investment, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Mr Bernard Chan, as the keynote speaker, shared with the guests the vibrant arts and culture in Hong Kong in his speech.