Remarks by Consul General H. E. Zhou Limin<br>at the Online Reception<br>Celebrating the 2021 Chinese New Year
2021/02/10

Dear friends in NSW, member of the Chinese community, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to meet you "in the cloud" to celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Ox. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, I extend my warm greetings to all friends in NSW, the local Chinese community, colleagues from Chinese companies and organizations and Chinese international students!

At Chinese New Year we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. It is a time to reflect as well as look forward.

The year 2020 was a landmark year for China. Faced with the outbreak of Covid-19, China pulled off a remarkable epic upholding the principle of "honoring the paramount importance of saving lives and putting the interests of the people above all". We achieved major strategic results in epidemic prevention and control and pushed forward economic and social development while trying the best in pandemic prevention and control. China is the first among the world's major economies to achieve positive growth. China's historic mission to alleviate poverty was completed on schedule, and decisive achievements were made in building a moderately prosperous society. China has been actively advocating international cooperation and trying to make joint efforts with other countries in combating the pandemic, practicing the concept of community with a shared future for mankind through concrete actions. We successfully held the third China International Import Expo, sending a strong signal to the world of openness and cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win.

The year 2020 will be an unforgettable year for China's relations with NSW. It is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples to promote healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations. In the four months since I took office, I have witnessed fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation between China and NSW. I personally feel the deep friendly feelings of NSW friends towards China, and sincerely appreciate their passionate expectations for improvements in China-Australia relations. In the face of challenges from the pandemic, local governments in Australia and China such as NSW and Guangdong, as well as communities and various sectors have expressed their goodwill and helped each other. There have been many touching examples of mutual help and joint efforts to combat the epidemic. NSW Senior Constable Foster lost her life trying to rescue a Chinese citizen in danger, demonstrating the kindness of humanity and bringing the peoples of Australia and China closer.

Last year was also an extraordinary year for the Chinese community in NSW. "Ruthless as the virus is, it brings out the warmth in humanity". Overcoming difficulties, the Chinese community, Chinese companies and organizations and Chinese international students have been abiding by the guidelines of local governments in epidemic prevention, helping each other to weather the hard times, thus making an important contribution to stopping the spread of the virus. They raised funds, made donations, gave unreserved support to Australia and NSW, by which demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility and spirit of cooperation. They all empathized with the situation in the motherland or country of origin, and gave support with not only words but also deeds, driven by strong sentimental attachment. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and deep respect to all member of the Chinese community - each and every one of you is truly remarkable!

Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the beginning of China's 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. China will embark on a new journey to build a modern socialist country and march towards its second centennial goals. We believe that a China that is continuously developing, generating opportunities, embracing openness and cooperation will keep contributing to the peace and development of the world.

Looking ahead to 2021, the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney will strengthen communications with our friends in NSW, and jointly promote exchanges and cooperation between China and NSW in various fields, with a view to bringing more benefits to our two peoples and injecting more positive momentum into the development of China-Australia relations. We will adhere to the tenet of Putting People First and Diplomacy for the People, and continue to provide quality consular services for Chinese citizens, Chinese companies and organizations and Chinese international students. We will do our best to protect your well-being, safety and legitimate rights. The motherland is your solid support, and the Consulate General is right by your side.

Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

In Chinese traditional culture, the "Year of the Ox" symbolises resilience and perseverance, and heralds development and progress. In this auspicious year, I wish Australia and NSW a speedy victory over Covid-19, I wish all our friends, the Chinese community, Chinese companies and organizations and Chinese international students in NSW good health, happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Ox!

Thank you!