Speech by Mr. Fang Xinwen, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Melbourne at the Reception Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

22nd September 2026

The Hon. Gabrielle Williams, Deputy Premier of Victoria, representing the Hon. Premier Ben Caroll,

The Hon. Paul Hammer MP, Minister for Roads and Road Safety,

Mr. David Southwick MP, Deputy Leader of Opposition, representing the Leader of Opposition Jess Wilson,

Federal Members Mr. Gabriel Ng MP, Mr. Matt Gregg MP,

All the State Members, Mayors and Councillors of Local Councils across Victoria and Tasmania,

Colleagues of the Consular Corps in Melbourne,

Community leaders, business leaders, Vice-Chancellors, Professors, media friends, our guests coming afar across Victoria and Tasmania,

Ladies, gentlemen, friends and dear students,

A very good evening to you all! At the outset, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne, please allow me to extend our warm welcome to all the guests present here tonight, and our heart-felt gratitude to friends in Victoria and Tasmania for the long-standing commitment and dedication to China’s development, China-Australia relationship and the fruitful exchanges and cooperaiton. My thanks also go to my consulate colleagues, the excution team of the reception, as well as the artists, volunteers and everyone behind the scence, who have together made the event possible and beautiful.

This year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Led by the CPC, China has grown into the world’s second largest economy, largest manufacturer, largest trader in goods, second largest consumer of commodities. China has become the vital powerhouse of global economic growth by contributing more than 30% annually over the decades. China has built up the world’s largest modern infurastructure network, and the world’s largest education, social security and medicare systems, which could be inerpreted as what is behind China’s miricale of keeping rapid economic development while maintaing sustained social stability. China leads in golbal energy transition and combat of climate change by earnestly advancing green low-carbon transformation.  China’s innovation draws global spotlight, when China ranks No. 9 worldwide in the National Innovation Index, and smart manufacturing in China, represented by AI and robotics, is rapidly accepted by the global market.

This year is the begining of China’s 15th Five Year Plan. Facing the complex international situation, China’s economy has demonstrated great resilience and dynamism. Its economic growth rate registered 4.7% in the first half of this year, ranking among the top of all major economies. China’s development brings more opportunity, more synergy and stability to the world. China will anchor its established development goals, handle its own affairs in a down-to-earth manner, and at the same time engage with the world in a more confident and open posture.

As the international landscape is characterized by intertwined changes and turbulence, peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit remain the shared aspiration of the people. Adapting to the trend of the times, President Xi Jinping has advocated the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. These initiatives are inter-connected, through which we can find prosperity through development, stability through security, mutual trust through civilizations, and fairness through governance. In this way, China contributes its wisdom and solutions to the promotion of world peace and development.

In July this year, the World AI Cooperation Organization was officially established in Shanghai. In September, relevant reports of the United Nations Human Rights Council incorporated the four Global Initiatives for the first time, serving as vivid examples of China's continuous efforts in global governance through greater global partnership. It is widely recognized that China’s Global Initiatives accord with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and have played a positive and important role in supporting multilateralism, upholding the core position of the United Nations, and promoting international cooperation and the sustainable development agenda.

Looking to the future, China will unswervingly pursue a path of peaceful development, persevere in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and fully implementing the four global initiatives, and inject more stability and positive energy into world peace and development.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

This year marks the 54th anniversary of China-Australia relations, we are proud of the continued development and deepening of the bilateral relationship. China always views China-Australia relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective. We firmly believe that the essence of China-Australia relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China and Australia are friends not foes, partners not rivals. What China brings to Australia is cooperation and development, not threats or challenges.

This year witnessed a number of mutual visits and meetings of different mechanisms. Just this morning, the Hon. Milton Dick, Speaker of House of Representatives, wrapped up his visit to China. In November, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the APEC Summit in Shenzhen. The frequent high-level interactions will further strengthen the ties of bilateral exchanges. Deepening friendly relations and cooperation serves the interests of both Chinese and Australian people. China stands ready to work with Australia to extend the cooperation list, shorten the problem list, effectively manage differences, advance mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and promote the steady progress of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership along the right track.

We have more exciting news of collaboration with China in Victoria and Tasmania. We have a number of anniversaries, 10th anniversary between Victoria and Sichuan Province, 47th anniversary with Jiangsu Provnice, 45th anniversary between Tasmania and Fujian Province, what is more, 1st anniversary of Victoria’s New China Strategy which was launched last year.

We have a number of FIRST in Consulate-General’s events. The first time to organize the Chinese Ethnic Unity Day and International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations in Melbourne, first time to host the Chinese Film Week both in Hobart and Lanceston, first time to host the Chinese Cultural Day in Geelong College. There is also a list of highlights, for instance, the Chinese New Year Concert with MSO for 13 consecutive years, 2026 Australia-China Economic Trade Investment Expo and China Commodity Fair, International Chinese Language Day, Chinese Language Bridge Competition, Nanjing-Melbourne NEXUS Innovation Competition, all are the flagship events leading Chinese language learning, youth exchange, economic cooperation and trade, among many others. There are more to present, which are the unique windows to better understand China, with participation of not just the Chinese community, but also other communities in the vibrant multicultural Victoria and Tasmania, in a way to vigorously promote collaboration with China and mutual learning with each other, and connects the hearts of our people ever closer.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne. I would take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to all friends for the gracious, steadfast support to our work over the last four decades. I am particularly grateful to the Chinese community in Victoria and Tansmania for their firm support to the one-China principle and Chinese Government’s efforts to realize national reunification. Taking this milstone of 40th anniversary as a fresh start, my colleagues and I are committed to advancing engagement and cooperation across all levels and sectors, so as to elevate the relations between our consular district and China to new heights.

In conclusion, may China, my beloved motherland, prosperity and its people well-being. May China-Asutralia friendship be ever-lasting. I wish all the guests good health and every success.  

By the way, 25th September is the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China’s most renowned traditional festivals. I wish you a very happy, prosperous and fruitful festival. It’s a beautiful coincidence that this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls in Victoria’s holiday of AFL Grand Final, so, please enjoy greater happiness and greater success!

Thank you!