Speech at the Presentation Ceremony of 2020 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award by H.E. Ambassador Xiao Qian

（Canberra, 24 March 2022）

—Professor Sue O’Reilly,Professor Bill Griffin,

—Dr. Cathy Foley, Chief Scientist of Australia,

—Professor Chennupati Jagadish, President-elect of Australia Academy of Science,

—Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning! Today we gather here to witness the presentation of 2020 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People’s Republic of China to Professor Sue O’Reilly, internationally renowned geoscientist, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and Distinguished Professor of Macquarie University. I would like to extend my warm welcome and sincere thanks to all guests from the Australian scientific community, representatives of government departments and friends from media present here today.

International Science and Technology Cooperation Awardof the People’s Republic of China is a state-level annual award established by the State Council of China in 1994. It is conferred on foreign experts or organizations that have made important contributions to China’s science and technology development. On 3 November 2021, the State Council issued the “Decision on National Science and Technology Awards in 2020”, announcing foreign experts including Professor O’Reilly as the recipients of the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

Professor O’Reilly epitomizes the two-way endeavors to promote China-Australia exchanges and cooperation in science and technology. Since 1982, Professor O’Reilly has been committed to research collaborations in geosciences with Chinese universities and institutes, and made important contributions to the development of China’s geosciences and the exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and international geoscience community. In the past 40 years, she has made many visits to China, some of which were deep into remote mountainous areas. She fears not poor working and living conditions, and demonstrates the spirit of a scientist who looks past fame and fortune in search of facts and truths. What she represents is a broad-mindedness to pursue ideals across national borders, and deep feelings and friendship for China.

Today, on behalf of the Chinese government, I have the honor to present the medal and certificate to Professor O’Reilly. This award attests to the Chinese government’s high recognition of Professor O’Reilly’s contributions to China-Australia exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and  Chinese people’s high respect for a friend from Australia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As early as 1960s, well before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, the door was opened for exchanges and cooperation in science and technology between our two countries. Looking back at the past, our cooperation has promoted the advancement of science and technology undertakings and economic and social development of the two countries, and tangible benefits have been brought to the people of both our countries as well. They have also served as a bridge to deepen mutual understanding, an engine to promote common prosperity, and a bond to enhance friendship between our two peoples.

In today’s world, with converging interests and shared destiny of all countries, advancing science and technology exchanges and cooperation is in the interests of the international community and in conformity with the trend of times that is peaceful development and win-win cooperation. Both China and Australia are countries that cherish creativity and advocate innovation. With a sound foundation of cooperation and high complementarity, China-Australia exchanges and cooperation in science and technology enjoy huge potentials. Looking forward to the future, China is willing to work with Australia to actively promote practical cooperation in science and technology, so that more results of cooperation will bring benefits to our two countries and peoples, making more contributions to the development of science and technology of the whole world and advancement of well-beings of the entire humankind.

Thank you all！