Dr Ruan Zongze, Consul-General of PRC in Brisbane,

31 July 2025, UniSQ

Good morning, everyone!

It is an immense pleasure to visit the beautiful University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). Please let me begin by acknowledging Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Nelson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor John Bell, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ren Yi for your truly kind invitation and hospitality. Thank you for being here. And a very warm welcome to all students present today.

UniSQ is a distinguished institution, renowned for its teaching and research achievements, with research projects enjoying international acclaim.

I am pleased to see that UniSQ maintains close cooperation with Chinese universities, and Chinese students are pursuing their studies here. Educational cooperation has long been a highlight of people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia.

Today, I would like to share with you China’s perspective on the current international landscape, China’s relations with the world, China-Australia relations, and the importance of youth leadership. I also look forward to engaging with your questions.

I. Thank Goodness for China

Eighty years ago, the world achieved a great victory in the fight against fascism. Eight decades later, humanity once again stands at a crossroads: shall we choose peace and development, or war and regression? Shall we pursue openness and inclusiveness, or succumb to isolation and division? Shall we seek win-win cooperation, or revert to zero-sum rivalry?

Nowadays, a glance at major newspapers and online platforms reveals a world shrouded in turmoil: tariff wars, trade wars, unilateralism, decoupling and supply chain disruptions, threats and coercion, sanctions and pressure dominate the headlines.

Conflicts in regions like Europe and the Middle East have not subsided but intensified.

The bombing of a sovereign nation’s nuclear facility has set a dangerous precedent. Gaza remains trapped in an appalling humanitarian catastrophe.

What is wrong with the world? And what should we do?

As the saying goes, “To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

The tariff tsunami is splitting the world in two, leaving the United States on one side and the rest of the world on the other.

Even Australia, as an ally of the US, has not been spared.

The United States proclaims itself as a “beacon,” yet seeks to illuminate only itself.

Washington’s weaponization of tariffs severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, violates the WTO rules, and destroys the post-war global economic order.

Can the United States still be trusted?

In the face of American bullying and blackmail, some countries have chosen to either retreat or watch in silence, angry yet hesitant to speak out.

China, however, has resolutely taken countermeasures, firmly rejecting tariff extortion. China will never indulge the United States in this regard.

In defending its legitimate rights and interests, China also upholds the rightful interests of people worldwide and safeguards the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.

China is committed to building an open world economy and has become a stable and reliable force in global industrial and supply chains.

More and more countries and peoples recognize and commend China’s principled stand for justice on the global stage.

A friend once said to me, with heartfelt emotion, “Thank goodness for China!”

What the world needs is fairness, not hegemony.

Now more than ever, the international community must unite to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system centered on the WTO.

Multilateralism is the only viable path to solve global challenges, and economic globalization is the trend of history.

II. China’s Reunification is Irresistible

Eighty years ago, Taiwan was returned to China, which is a rightful outcome of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global fight against fascism. And it is an important part of the international order established after the second World War.

A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, all confirm China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, which is solidly rooted in history and the law.

The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the main battlefield in the East. It began the earliest, lasted the longest, tied up the most enemy forces, and made the greatest sacrifices.

The Communist Party of China was the pillar of the entire nation’s resistance and the vanguard leading the Chinese people to victory.

China is a founding member of the United Nations and was the first country to sign the UN Charter.

In 1971, the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority.

This resolution thoroughly and conclusively resolved, politically, legally, and procedurally, the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN.

It made clear that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is a part of China rather than a country, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Yet, some seek to challenge the authority of UNGA Resolution 2758, calling Taiwan’s status “undetermined”, and fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, and trumpeting for the participation of Taiwan in the UN system which requires sovereign statehood.

These comments distort the facts and history, and tread on international law and the basic norms of international relations.

“Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The international community should unequivocally oppose all forms of “Taiwan independence” and adamantly support all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

This is not an unreasonable demand but a rightful expectation for respect for the UN Charter and the post-war international order.

We have made it clear to the United States that it must handle the Taiwan question with prudence, so that the fringe separatists bent on “Taiwan independence” will not be able to drag China and the United States into the dangerous terrain of confrontation and even conflict.

No matter how the situation on the island of Taiwan changes, no matter how external forces disrupt it, the historical trend that China will eventually reunify is unstoppable.

III. Fulfilling Ourselves, Benefiting the World

Today there are over 8 billion people on Earth. Developed countries account for only about 1 billion, while around another billion still suffer from poverty or hunger. The gap between the rich and poor remains stark.

How to eradicate poverty and advance inclusive, sustainable development remains a pressing challenge for the international community.

I had the privilege of serving as a member of the UNDP Human Development Report Advisory Panel and participated in multiple UN discussions on human development.

According to the Human Development Report 2025, China ranks 78th globally, above the world average.

Put it another way, China, home to one-fifth of the world’s population, has created an unprecedented miracle in human development. It is by far the most consequential transformation of humanity.

China’s success in poverty alleviation, national prosperity, and human rights advancement has earned broad recognition and acclaim from the international community.

Developing countries especially inspired, are gaining confidence and determination to forge ahead, eager to unlock the secrets of China’s success.

Yet China does not export its development model or ideology. What it offers to the world are unparalleled opportunities.

As the world’s second-largest consumer market, China has become a primary engine of global economic growth, providing powerful momentum for global prosperity.

In the face of high winds and choppy waters in the international environment, Chinese modernization strides forward steadily.

In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.3 per cent, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.

To address mounting deficits in peace, development, security, and governance, China advocates the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, advancing global development, security, and cultural cooperation, and actively promoting global governance reform.

In the meantime, China has worked with international community to put forward the Global AI Governance Action Plan. It calls on all parties to take concrete and effective actions in advancing global AI development and governance.

China has always pursued peaceful development and has the best peace record among the world's major countries.

Over the past 70-plus years, China has never initiated a war. It is also the only country that has incorporated peaceful development in its Constitution, and the only country among the nuclear-weapon states that is committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons.

Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have written a remarkable story of independence, peace, and modernization.

Chinese modernization showcases a profound transition from Made in China to Created in China.

This is not only China’s success, but a contribution to the progress of humanity.

As President Xi Jinping has said, “China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better.”

IV. When Koala Meets Panda

China and Australia are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. As neighbors that cannot be moved apart, fostering friendship and cooperation is in the best interests of both countries and the peoples of this region.

Yet Australia, often called the “Lucky Country,” remains troubled by a persistent “Down Under Anxiety” ：fear of abandonment and the Asian Dilemma combine to create an identity crisis marked by a sense of estrangement at home.

This anxiety inevitably permeates Australia’s foreign relations, shaping its perceptions of China and Asia, and adding complexity to the China-Australia relationship.

It is therefore not surprising that some Australian media outlets and politicians are keen to hype up the “China threat” to grab attention and gain influence.

Overall, more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Australia relations have remained fundamentally sound and productive.

The greatest wisdom we have learned is the importance of treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation.

China has been Australia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. The volume of our bilateral trade exceeds the combined total of Australia’s trade with Japan, South Korea, the United States, and India. And a substantial portion of Australia’s trade surplus comes from its exports to China.

Furthermore, Chinese modernization will surely deliver an incomparable economic and trade opportunity for the prosperity of Australia in years ahead.

This fully demonstrates that the dynamic essence of China-Australia relations lies in mutual benefit, mutual success, and complementarity.

The more China grows and expands the potential of its consumer market, the more opportunities there will be for Australian products. Likewise, the more Australia develops, the greater the opportunity it can offer for China’s economy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s successful visit to China has injected new momentum into bilateral relations.

President Xi Jinping stressed that first, China and Australia should continue to enhance strategic mutual trust. Second, the two sides should deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. Third, the two sides should foster greater people-to-people friendship. And fourth, the two sides should jointly address risks and challenges.

PM Albanese said that Australia highly values its relations with China and that advancing bilateral ties serves the common interests of both countries and contributes to regional stability and prosperity.

During his visit to China, PM Albanese retraced the steps of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by making a trip to the Great Wall, commending Whitlam’s vision, and courage in establishing diplomatic relations with China half a century ago.

Ahead of his visit, PM Albanese pledged to engage the world in Australian way.

Both sides should adhere to the important consensus reached by the two leaders and strive to open a new decade of an even more fruitful and dynamic China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In the face of complex and volatile international landscape, as former allies in the fight against fascism, China and Australia share broad common interests in safeguarding the post-war international order and upholding the international system centered on the United Nations.

In addition, both countries enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in addressing climate change, promoting green industries, enhancing cooperation in medical technology, and deepening people-to-people exchanges.

With joint efforts, we can and should elevate our cooperation to new heights!

V. Leadership Matters

I am so delighted to see that quite a few students joined us today, and you are interested in the topic of youth leadership. As a diplomat and a former scholar, I would like to share my insights.

What is leadership? It lies in commitment and contribution.

Is it not a joy to contribute to our community, society, country, and all humanity?

First, one must read extensively and travel widely. As a scholar, I was fortunate to have ample time for research, deep reflection, and travel around the world. As a diplomat, I have been able to test the theories of international relations through hands-on experience, enriching my understanding of diplomacy as both theory and action.

The charm or challenge of being a diplomat lies in the unpredictability of tomorrow: where you might be posted, who you might meet, what cultures you will encounter, what landscapes you will behold. These experiences are invaluable in equipping one for diplomatic work.

From Beijing to London, then Washington, and now Brisbane, this extraordinary journey has been enormously rewarding for me.

Over the past three years working in Brisbane, I am so proud to witness the turnaround in China-Australia relations, as the ties emerged from a period of difficulty into renewed progress.

That takes me to my second point, namely stay humble to embrace mutual learning between civilizations and appreciate the beauty of diversity. Just as no two leaves are alike, the same holds true for human societies.

The world is so vast that cultures, histories, traditions, and resource endowments vary widely. We must strive to learn more, engage more, and communicate more with mutual respect and equality.

In daily life, we do not define friends or partners by our differences.

The same applies to international relations. We should seek common ground while respecting differences and never define one another solely by them.

Unfortunately, at the end of the Cold War, some people indulged in the notion of “clash of civilizations.” Far from resolving conflict, it exacerbated division and turned into self-fulfilling prophecies.

Last but not least, all people across the world long for a better life and deserve the right to pursue it.

The principle of “non-interference in internal affairs” is a basic norm in international relations.

The role of a diplomat is to engage with the world through deepening mutual understanding, strengthening cooperation, and promoting peace and development, so as to better serve the national interest.

Our planet is home to about 200 countries and regions. Each is unique, like flowers in a vast garden. A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden.

We are ready to work with like-minded partners and friends to build a community with a shared future for humanity, where civilizations prosper respectively and together.

Youth are the future of China-Australia relations.

As the old saying goes: “You have to strive for knowledge, even as far away as China.”

I hope and warmly welcome more young Australians to visit China.

Seeing is believing.

Let China and Australia always remain good neighbors and good partners.

The future rests with our young people.

Thank you very much for your kind attention!