(23 July 2024, Sunpac Theatre)

Hon Mark Furner MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities of Queensland,
Cr Steven Huang, Representative of the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner,
Professor Lu Ping, Secretary of Australia China Friendship Society,
Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

Welcome to tonight's choral concert, and thank Mr Michael Ma, President of Queensland Chinese United Council, for the great support to this event.

The concert is co-hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane, Futian District of Shenzhen, and Australia China Friendship Society Queensland, and Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir and the Australian Voices are invited to perform together. Young artists from China and Australia will present Chinese and Western classic choral songs, bringing us a musical feast that blends China and the West.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges help the two peoples deepen understanding and friendship, and are important cornerstones and inexhaustible driving force for the development of bilateral relations. Since last year, well-known Chinese artists and groups have been visiting Brisbane to perform, and they have been widely welcomed. We also welcome and support more Australian art groups to visit China to promote the integration and collision of Eastern and Western cultures and show their unique charm.

The theme of today's concert comes from an ancient Tang Dynasty poem that is widely known in China. The full sentence is "Up the bright moon rises from the sea, I share the same moment though far from thee". This poem expresses the feeling of missing relatives and friends who are thousands of miles apart, and is also a true portrayal of the homesickness of countless overseas travelers over the past thousand years.

In the current context of ever-increasing globalization, this poem has been given new meaning. We admire the same bright moon and live together in the only home on earth. Bearing in mind the common interests of the world, China proposes to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and calls on all countries to promote the common values of mankind and jointly build a better world.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Chinese Consulate-General is willing to take this opportunity to work with all sectors of Queensland to provide support for more cultural, academic and youth exchanges between the two sides, so as to further activate the great strength of people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia.

Thank you!