Your Excellency Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia,
Hon John Carey, MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of WA, Representing the Hon Premier,
Hon Tony Krsticevic, MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, representing the Leader of the Opposition,
Hon State and Federal MPs,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening!
We gather here this evening to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the people's Republic of China. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Perth, I'd like to extend our sincere and warm welcome to all of you!
Over the past 68 years, the Chinese People, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, have successfully embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and have made remarkable achievements in China's economic and social development. China's GDP has increased almost 1000 times from 10 billion to 11 trillion US Dollars.And the living standard of the Chinese people as a whole has made a historic leap from adequate food and clothing to well-off life.
Today, while the world economy still faces instability and uncertainty, China's economy has entered into a new normal. We have taken initiatives to transform our development mode.During the past 5 years, we have adopted over 1,500 reform measures and have maintained a medium-high economic growth rate. In the first half of this year, China's economy grew by 6.9%, and the value added from services accounted for 54.1% of the GDP, 7,350,000 urban jobs were created. According to the World Bank, from 2013 to 2016, China contributed an average of 31.6% to world economic growth.
From paper-making to compass, and from gunpowder to printing, we know they are the four great inventions of ancient China, now we have the four modern day inventions: high-speed rail, shared bicycles, e-commerce and mobile payment, according to a survey conducted among the young people from over 20 countries.
Meanwhile, China is also facing many difficulties and challenges in its economic development. We will continue to put into practice the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, in order to achieve a sustainable development.
In the next 5 years, China will import 8 trillion US dollars of goods. A vibrant Chinese economy will bring more opportunities to the rest of the world.
China has followed a path of peaceful development and made its due contribution to world peace and development. 2017 has been a fruitful year of China's external relations. In May, we hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which was attended by 29 heads of state or government and over 1,600 representatives from more than 140 countries and 80 international organizations. The Forum has helped to translate the Belt and Road Initiative from vision to action and from planning to implementation. The Belt and Road Initiative, which follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, provides a wide platform for inclusive development and offers new opportunities for all countries and businesses. We welcome Australian businesses to participate in this initiative.
The BRICKS Summit held in Xiamen earlier this month,has pushed forward the transformation of the BRICKS from traditional dual-track approach of economic and political cooperation to a new pattern of "three-wheel drive" of economic, political, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Next month, the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party will be held in Beijing, this congress will map out the grand blueprint for China's future development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia and also China-Australia Year of Tourism. Over the past 45 years of our diplomatic ties, despite differences in our national conditions and social systems, China and Australia have managed to handle properly disagreements, and gradually fostered mutual trust in the spirit of equality and mutual respect. And as a result, our bilateral relations and cooperation have made substantial and steady progress.
The economies of China and Australia are strongly complimentary. China has been Australia's largest trading partner for 8 consecutive years.What is more,people to people exchanges have been increasing very rapidly. Last year around 2 million people traveled between China and Australia and there were 1.2 million Chinese visitors to Australia, making China Australia's most valuable international tourist market.
Facts have shown that the development of China Australia relations conforms with our common interests and have brought about tangible benefits to the people of our two countries. I believe, as long as the two countries carry forward the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit, stick to the right direction of our bilateral relations, and continue to promote mutual understanding and mutual trust, China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to flourish.
Western Australia has played a vital role in China-Australia relations. China is WA's largest export market.In 2016, WA's export to China was valued at 60.2 billion AUD, accounting for 50 percent of its total export volume. Iron ore continued to be WA's largest export to China.Last year, WA's iron ore export to China stood at 652 million tonnes, accounting for 82 percent of its total export volume, and reaching a record high. Meanwhile, there is broad prospect for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, education, tourism, science and technology, culture and other fields. This year is also the 30th anniversary of the Sister State relationship between Zhejiang Province and WA,and we are glad to see the strengthening of exchanges between the two sides.
Dear friends,
The Chinese Consulate General in Perth will continue to work together with our friends in WA to further promote and strengthen our relations and cooperation in all areas. Looking into the future, we have full confidence in mutual beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
Finally, I'd like to propose a toast
To the 68th birthday of the People's Republic of China,
To the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Western Australia,
And to the health and happiness of all our guests present here,
Cheers!