Mr. Simon Wu, President of Australia China Friendship Society WA Branch,

Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier WA,

Hon. Colin de Grussa MLC, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council,

Ms. Elizabeth Mettam MLA, Leader of the WA Liberal Party,

Dr. Jagadish Krishnan MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women’s Interests,

Mr. Paul Robert Lilburne MLA, Member for Carine,

Mr. Sam Lim MP - Member of Australian Parliament for Tangney,

Mr.Ting Chen - President of Chung Wah Association,

Mr.Ahmad Fikri Zakian, Dean of the WA Consular Corps and Consul General of Malaysia,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

Tonight, we are gathering together to celebrate friendship between China and Western Australia. I would like to congratulate all the Friendship Award recipients, individual, family or institution upon your remarkable contribution and achievements in promoting China WA people-to-people and culture exchanges.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to all the friends tonight, you value and have been making sincere efforts to press forward the healthy development of China Australia relations, which have gone through difficulties and regained positive momentum.

Special thanks to President Simon Wu and Australia China Friendship Society WA Branch for organizing such a wonderful event, thank you all the members, senior or young, for your selfless devotion and dedication to constantly deepen understanding and cooperation as well as cultivate warm feelings between our peoples.

Last year, we jointly celebrated the 50th Anniversary of establishment of China Australia diplomatic relations.

As President Xi put it during the meeting with PM Albanese in Bali,Indonesia last November, China Australia relationship is important for both sides, and both sides should work together to improve, to uphold and to develop the relationship.

Our foreign ministers met before Christmas last year. The two sides agreed to a China Australia relationship that is in keeping with our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and agreed to maintain high-level engagement, and to commence or restart dialogue in areas including bilateral relations, economy and trade, and regional and international issues. We also agreed to support people-to-people exchanges.

Our ministers of commerce held a virtual meeting last month. The two sides had a professional, practical and candid exchange on implementing the important consensus reached in talks between our leaders, properly addressing each other’s key economic and trade concerns and planning the development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

2023 is the first year to implement the plan adopted by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,China is committed to the reform and opening-up,the door of China will open even wider to the world. China’s continued development will bring more opportunities for all countries.

I am fully confident that a window of opportunity has opened for China Australia and China WA relations. China and Western Australia have a long and unique friendly relationship. I warmly welcome Premier McGowan and Western Australians to visit China to further tap the potential of our friendly cooperation.

Friendship between peoples holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. I hope ACFSWA will continue thriving in its mission of building and improving bonds between Chinese people and Western Australians.

The Consulate General of China in Perth would like to join hands with all friends in WA to continue injecting positive energy into our people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as practical cooperation in all fields.

Enjoy the Friendship Night.

I Thank you.