Keynote Speech by Consul General Zhou Limin at the Forum Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between China and Australia
2022/11/06

On 5 November, the Forum of Chinese Australians and Friends Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Australia was held in Sydney. Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney H.E. Zhou Limin attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech. The full text is as follows:

Your Honourable Andrew Robb, former Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism of the Australian Federal Government,

Your Honourable Johnathan O’Dea, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly,

Mr. Xue Yeguang, Chairman, Dr. Ven Tan, Executive Chairman, and Mr. Shen Tie, Deputy Executive Chairman and Secretary General of the Organizing Committee of Serial Events Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of China-Australia Diplomatic Relations, 

Distinguished representatives of the overseas Chinese community from across all states and territories of Australia,

Distinguished friends from all sectors in NSW and Australia,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good afternoon!

It is my great pleasure to attend the forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the successful opening of the serial events.

The serial events focus on China-Australia relations and aim to "look back, draw lessons and look forward". It is encouraging that nearly 700 people have registered for the events, which reflects the keen aspiration of the Chinese community and the Australian public to improve China-Australia relations.

    China and Australia established diplomatic relations on 21 December 1972, turning a new page for the bilateral ties. We are gathering here today both to look back and pay tribute to the elder generation of our leaders for their strategic vision, and to take stock of the past and jointly build a brighter future for China-Australia relations.

I believe that we can learn the following three inspirations from the past 50 years:

First, objective and rational perception of each other is a prerequisite for the continuous development of China-Australia relations.

In a letter addressed to Australia’s first Ambassador Stephen FitzGerald in April 1973, the then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam made it clear that Australia seeks "a relationship with China based on friendship, cooperation and mutual trust".

For China and Australia to deepen friendship and expand cooperation, mutual political trust is the foundation and mutual understanding is a prerequisite. That is one of the most valuable experiences we draw from the past 50 years.

China adheres to the path of peaceful development and is committed to achieving mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation with other countries. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month once again stressed that China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals of upholding world peace and promoting common development, with a view to building a human community with a shared future. China's progress will only bring opportunities for common development to the world, and will not pose a threat to any country.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Australia and regards Australia as a partner for dialogue and cooperation. It is hoped that the Australian side will look at China's development path and strategic intentions in a rational and objective light, adhere to the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, pursue mutual benefits and win-win results, so as to achieve common development. This is a wise choice that serves the interests of Australia, and the shared interests of China and Australia.

Secondly, mutual benefit is the nature of China-Australia relations.

China and Australia are highly complementary in terms of resources and industrial structures, and are natural partners of cooperation.

Over the past 50 years, practical cooperation in various fields between the two countries has achieved fruitful results. While China-Australia cooperation has contributed to China's modernisation process, it has also led to booming development of Australia’s mining, agriculture, education and tourism sectors and promoted Australia's economic growth.

China has now entered a new stage of development and is accelerating efforts to foster a new pattern of development, promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up. The 5th China International Import Expo just opened in Shanghai this morning. This is an important step by China to open its market to the world, which is conducive to international economic and trade cooperation and world economic growth.

The China side has always been open to mutually beneficial cooperation with Australia. It is hoped that the Australian side will also adhere to openness and cooperative spirit, provide stable and friendly political conditions and a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies to develop in Australia.

Thirdly, people-to-people ties are an important foundation for the long-term development of China-Australia relations.

50 years ago, China and Australia were a mysterious country to each other. Today, people of the two countries are closer than ever, and their friendship is deepening.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were nearly 200 flights a week between Australia and China, and annual two-way visits reached nearly two million. China is the top source of international students in Australia. Many Australian people love the Chinese culture, and Chinese food, Chinese medicine and martial arts have been increasingly part of their lives.

In the past 50 years, friendly bilateral exchanges have always been a common aspiration and enjoyed solid public support. We hope that the mutual exchanges and friendship between our peoples will continue to flourish. This will provide a better social foundation for the long-term development of the bilateral relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Over the years, the Chinese community in Australia have been working hard, actively integrating themselves into the Australian society, and making important contributions to Australia’s economic and social development as well as the friendly cooperation between our two countries.

It is remarkable that the Chinese community across Australia have come together with unity and action and organised in a short period of time such a large-scale and high-profile event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

The Chinese community is a valuable asset to Australia and China-Australia relations. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in Australia is ready to continue to work with the Australian side to support a better development of the Chinese community and to further play their role as a bridge and bond in advancing China-Australia friendship.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

50 years ago, our two countries approached each other and worked together for the economic development and people’s well-being and for the sake of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 50 years later, China-Australia relations have once again come to an important historical juncture.

China stands ready to make joint efforts with Australia to renew the original aspiration in establishing the diplomatic ties, uphold the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and push China-Australia relations back on the right track, so as to bring more benefits to our peoples and inject stability and positive energy into today’s world.

Sub-national cooperation is an important part of China-Australia relations, and NSW has long been at the forefront among Australia’s states and territories in developing cooperation with China. The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney looks forward to working with our Australian and NSW friends to promote exchanges, expand cooperation and deepen friendship, thus contributing to the improvement and development of China-Australia relations.

Finally, I wish today’s events a great success! Thank you!