On 15 December 2022, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney H.E. Zhou Limin visited the Whitlam Institute in the University of Western Sydney and made some remarks on China-Australia relations. The Full text is as follows: 

Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, 

Mr Nicholas Whitlam, 

Honoable John Faulkner, Chair of the Board, and Mr John Juriansz, director of the Whitlam Institute,  

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning! It gives me great pleasure to visit the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

Just now, in the company of Mr Nicholas Whitlam, Mr. John Faulkner and Mr John Juriansz, I watched the collection of the Institute and recalled the outstanding contribution made by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam to the development of China-Australia relations.

Mr. Whitlam was the first Australian Member of Parliament to publicly propose the recognition of the New China, and the first Australian political party leader to visit China. It was under his initiation that the Australian government made the decision to establish diplomatic ties with China, and he became the first Australian prime minister to visit China thereafter. This fully demonstrates his great vision and political courage.

With the joint efforts of the older generations of leaders of both countries, including Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, China and Australia established diplomatic relations on December 21, 1972, which opened a new chapter in China-Australian relations.

Over the past 50 years, the bilateral relations have been developing smoothly on the whole and at the forefront of China's relations with Western developed countries. The exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, China and Australia are holding a series of celebrations. As an old Chinese saying goes, "When you drink water, think of the source." My special visit to the Whitlam Institute today is not only to pay tribute to the older generations of leaders of our two countries, but also to review the beginning of China-Australia relations with hope to usher in its even brighter future.

In a letter addressed to Australia’s first Ambassador Stephen FitzGerald in April 1973, Mr. Whitlam made it clear that Australia seeks "a relationship with China based on friendship, cooperation and mutual trust". These three words have revealed why China-Australia relations can have a sustained growth over the 50 years and provide important inspirations for its long-term development in the future.

First of all, friendship. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the exchanges between the Chinese and Australian people have been kept strengthening and their friendship kept deepening, providing a sound social foundation and favorable atmosphere for the sustained growth of China-Australia relations. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, there were nearly 200 flights between China and Australia every week. China is Australia's largest source of overseas students and foreign tourists. The Australian people love Chinese culture. Chinese food, traditional Chinese medicine and the Chinese language are becoming more and more part of their life.

Second, cooperation. China and Australia are highly complementary in resource endowment and industrial structure, making us natural partners for cooperation. Bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. While driving China's modernization efforts, China-Australia cooperation has also contributed greatly to Australia's economic prosperity. Australia has maintained 29 consecutive years of economic growth and successfully weathered several global and regional economic and financial crises, thanks to its cooperation with China.

Last and the most important, mutual trust. To deepen friendship and expand cooperation, China and Australia must first establish a correct understanding of each other. China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development and to developing friendly relations and cooperation with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. China's development will only bring opportunities to the world, but will not pose a threat to any country. China and Australia have never had any conflict of fundamental interests. We have the traditional friendship between our peoples and highly complementary economic structures. We have the common aspiration to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We should see each other as partners and opportunities, not adversaries and threats.

In recent years, China-Australia relations have been experiencing difficulties. This is not what China wishes to see, nor does it serve the common interests of both sides. There have been some positive changes in the relations recently. Last month, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Bali, Indonesia, and the meeting charted the course for the development of China-Australia relations. China is ready to work with Australia to translate the consensus between the two leaders into actions to maintain, improve and develop the bilateral relations. It is hoped that the Australian side will work with China, show political courage, demonstrate resolution, and take concrete actions to bring the bilateral relations back to the right track.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The long-term development of China-Australia relations depends on the joint efforts of all sectors in both China and Australia. The University of Western Sydney and Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover have long attached great importance to the development of exchanges and cooperation with China. The Whitlam Institute has made outstanding contributions to promoting the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Mr Nicholas Whitlam has always been giving support to the practical cooperation between China and Australia in various fields. I highly appreciate your contributions and hope you will continue to give full play to your influence and play a positive role in the improvement and development of China-Australia relations.

In conclusion, I wish China-Australia relations more achievements and the friendship between our two peoples lasting. I wish all of you good health, success and happiness. 

Thank you.