28 August 2025, Thomas Dixon Center

Distinguished guests and friends, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!

It is a great privilege to welcome you to this very special concert tonight and thank you very much for being here.

I begin by acknowledging Ms Karla Orellana, President of Australia China Friendship Society Queensland. Your support has been invaluable.

My thanks also go to Queensland Ballet for your generous support for this event.

Particularly, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding musicians including Queensland Ballet’s principal pianist Roger Cui and your colleagues for such an iconic performance.

Music is a universal language that transcends time and space. For this concert, we have selected a repertoire that bridges East and West, blending timeless classics.

Be honest, I can’t wait for it.

As is known to all, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s recovery.

Chinese government will commemorate it with solemn event in Beijing on 3 September under the theme of remembering history and creating a better future.

China's modern history has been marked by blood and sacrifice, but also a history of struggle and progress.

“Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves!” This is the first line of the Chinese national anthem, a constant source of inspiration for every Chinese person.

Eighty years ago, during the humanity’s darkest hours, all Chinese people, men and women, old and young, were united as one under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, vowed to resist the invaders and never ever give up.

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

For 14 years of unyielding and heroic struggle, China’s resistance led to more than 35 million casualties in the fight for the nation’s survival. It made an immense historic contribution to the global victory over fascism.

Of course, China did not fight alone.

China’s just cause had been supported by international community including the US, the Soviet Union, Britain and Australia etc.

The great victory was not only China’s victory, but also the humanity’s victory!

It marked a great triumph of justice over evil.

Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China. However, 130 years ago, Japan launched an invasion of China and stole it.

Eighty years ago, Taiwan was returned to China. It 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 essential part of the international order established after the second World War.

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

A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including The Cairo Declaration, The Potsdam Proclamation, have all confirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, laying the foundation of the post-war international order.

In 1971, UN Resolution 2758 clearly affirmed there is but one China, the government of People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is a province of China.

China’s reunification is inevitable!

Eight decades later, the world once again stands at a crossroads: shall we choose peace and development, or war and regression?

As the best peace record holder among the world’s major countries, today China has embarked a new journey of modernization. It will surely make a remarkable contribution to world peace and prosperity.

In conclusion China is ready to work with the international community to build a community of shared future for humanity, creating a bright future.

Please enjoy the concert!

Thank you!