On September 10, Australia-China Economic Trade Investment Expo and China Commodity Fair Australia opened at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Consul General Fang Xinwen attended the opening ceremony and the main forum, and delivered remarks at the gala dinner. More than 400 guests attended the events, including Mr Gao Feng, Minister-Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Australia; Mr Liu Dianxun, Director-General of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of China; Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Gardner, Governor of Victoria; John Mullahy MP ; Mr Leigh Howard, the Victorian Government’s Commissioner for Greater China; Ms Roshena Campbell, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne; the Hon. Andrew Robb AO, former Australian Trade Minister; Counsellor Chi Jiechao; as well as representatives of local businesses and exhibitors.

In his remarks, Consul General Fang congratulated the Expo on its successful opening. He emphasized that the successful hosting of the Expo demonstrates the high degree of complementarity between the two countries’ economies and the broad potential for cooperation. It also shows that a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship serves the interests of both sides. He expressed the hope that China and Australia will further expand areas of cooperation and strengthen practical collaboration, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the green economy, so as to better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Australian guests spoke highly of the Expo’s role in promoting Australia-China economic and trade relations and expressed strong confidence in the future of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.