H.E. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress

Representative of Hon. Premier Mark McGowan, Hon. RogerCook MLA, Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Hydrogen Industry; Tourism; Science

Hon. Colin Barnett, former Premier of Western Australia

Mr. Basil Zempilas, Lord Mayor of the City of Perth

Ms. Sally Dawkins, Director of DFAT Western Australia State Office

Mr. James Clarke, President of Australia China Business Council WA Branch

Mr. Sun Xiaoxuan, President of China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (CCCA) Perth branch

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the Reception tonight. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Perth, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to H.E. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and all the members of the Sichuan Delegation!

H.E.Secretary Wang Xiaohui’s friendly visit to Western Australia strongly resonates the successful visit to China byPremier McGowan, which marks new achievements have been made by China and Australia’s joint efforts to improve, maintain and develop bilateral relations as agreed by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Albanese during their constructive meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

We are pleased to see that ChinaAustralia relations have recently shown a positive momentum of development. Exchanges and dialogues at all levels and in various fields have been steadily resumed. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Farrell have visited China successively. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxuand Vice Minister Ma Youxiang of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairsvisited Australia last month.

In terms of economy and trade, through dialogue and consultation, China and Australia have made positive progress on issues such as coal, timber and barley. I believe that as long as the two sides maintain communication and cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation, other trade issues will also be properly resolved.

Local cooperation is an important part of ChinaAustralia as well as ChinaWestern Australia relations. H.E. Secretary Wang’s visit highlights the importance China attaches to strengthening friendly exchanges between provinces and states of the two countries.

Tomorrow, H.E. Secretary Wang will hold talks with Premier McGowan and a cooperation agreement will be signed, which will press forward the friendly relations and practical cooperation between Sichuan and Western Australia.

Last year, the City of Chengdu, Sichuan Province and Perth jointly celebrated their 10thanniversary of sister city relations. Mayor Wang Fengchao expressed good wishes to Lord Mayor Zempilas and the citizens of Perth viaa video speech, which fully acknowledgedthat the sistership vigorously promotes the development of the two cities and benefits their peoples and becomes a model of China Australian local cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank Premier McGowan and the Government of Western Australia for theirvery thoughtful arrangements for H.E. Secretary Wang’s visit. The relationship between China and Western Australiahas been unique and friendly for a long time. To continuously develop and deepenfriendly cooperation and ties with China has become the consensus of successive WA State Governments and the ruling and opposition parties.

I would also like to thank the co-hosts of tonight’sReception, Australia China Business Council WA Branch and China Chamber of Commerce in Australia Perth branch for your great enthusiasm towards H.E. Secretary Wang’s visit and your dedication and hard work to make the Reception a complete success.

The business community is always the main force and ballast of ChinaAustralia friendship. I highly appreciate that the business community in Western Australia takes the lead in promoting ChinaAustralia practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Chinese people are committed to comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization. In the new era, China’s high quality development will surelyinject stronger impetus to the development of countries around the world and bring more opportunities for the development of ChinaAustralia relations. Last year, China and Australia solemnly celebrated our 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. And this year is critical for us to further strengthen ties. Chinese Consulate General in Perth is committed to working with WA State Government, the business communities and people from all walks of life in WA to make unremitting efforts for the healthy development of our pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

May H.E. Secretary Wang’s visit a complete success,

May the friendship between China and Australia last forever,

Cheers and thank you.