（25th Jannuary,2025）

Hon. Dr. Tony Buti MLA, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Representing Premier Roger Cook, 
Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women’s Interests,
Mr. Shane Love MLA, Leader of the State Opposition,
Hon. Steven Martin MLC, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party，

Distinguished guests, Dear friends, Good afternoon! 

It’s a great pleasure to have all the distinguished guests and friends here at the Reception celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Snake. On behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth, I would like to extend a warm welcome and best wishes to all the distinguished guests and friends attending today’s reception !

The year 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has designed a grand blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. China’s economy kept momentum of stable growth with GDP growth rate at 5% in 2024. We continued to push forward the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and continuously promoted the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, which has enhanced the stability of the turbulent world, brought new opportunities for global development. China successfully hosted a series of major events, including the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the 7th China International Import Expo, with the aim to share China’s development opportunities. Visa-free policy and inbound tourism facilitation measures have been introduced, more and more foreign friends can travel to China whenever they want.

The year 2024 also marked the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's state visit to Australia and the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Australia. China-Australia relations have been brought back on the right track, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has reached a new level, and people-to-people exchange is close and frequent.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid a successful visit to Australia including WA in June,2024. China-West Australia's economic, trade and cultural exchanges are full of vigor and vitality, WA’s rock lobsters are back to the Chinese market. WA has set up a trade and investment office in Hangzhou, and a number of companies participated in the 7th China International Import Expo; China has implemented its visa-free policy for Australia and direct flights between Perth and Guangzhou have been resumed. With all above, China and WA’s pragmatic and friendly relationship will bring prosperity to both sides.

Dear Friends,

The Chinese communities in Western Australia have been working hard and making great contribution to the multiculture of WA and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. The Consulate General of China in Perth will always adhere to the ideal of "diplomacy for the people" and provide best service, maintain a heart-to-heart relationship with the Chinese communities, and enthusiastically serve people from all walks of life in China and WA. 

Long as the journey is, we will reach our destination if we stay the course, and we are starting a new journey together. As China-Australia relations enter a new historical starting point, China-Western Australia relations will also reach a new level. I sincerely welcome all Western Australians who are interested in China-Australia relations to seize the historical opportunity, actively strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields at various levels, and work together to promote China-Australia relations to a new high.

In 3 days, we will celebrate the Year of the Snake. 

May I wish you all happiness and prosperity. 

Happy Chinese New Year!