(15 September 2025, Boulevard Room, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre)

Distinguished guests and dear friends, good evening!

Welcome to this reception！

I will begin by acknowledging Hon Rosslyn Bates MP, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, on behalf of Hon David Crisafulli, Premier of Queensland.

I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Charis Mullen MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Public Works, on behalf of Hon Steven Miles, Queensland Labor Leader and Leader of the Opposition.

Cr Steven Huang, Deputy Chair for Brisban City Council, on behalf of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Mr Michael Ma, President of Queensland Chinese United Council.

Thank you for joining us tonight.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

For fourteen years of arduous and bloody struggle, the Chinese people achieved a great victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

It is China that supported the main Eastern battlefield of the world’s anti-fascist war with enormous national sacrifices.

On 3 September, a grand military parade was held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. 26 heads of state and government leaders attended the event.

In his address, President Xi Jinping remarked that the Chinese nation is a great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies and always values independence and forges ahead.

At the commemorative reception, President Xi Jinping stated that Chinese modernization follows the path of peaceful development. China will always be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world. We sincerely hope that all countries will draw wisdom from history, value peace, jointly advance world modernization and create a better future for humanity.

At the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative guided by five principles: adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.

Together with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, the four global initiatives are resonating and complementing each other, providing strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

This reflects China's sense of responsibility as a major country and demonstrates China’s appeal as a leader of our times.

Against the backdrop of a complex and volatile world, we must remember history, cherish peace, and create a better future.

By carrying forward the great spirit of resistance, let us bear in mind the great truth of history.

Justice will prevail!

Peace will prevail!

The people will prevail!

By practicing true multilateralism, we will ensure that hegemonism and unilateralism find no refuge.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery. Taiwan's recovery was an important outcome of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and a fundamental component of the post-war international order.

The indisputable history proves that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and that compatriots across the Strait share a common destiny.

Taiwan is sacred Chinese territory that brooks no division. We shall never allow the “Taiwan independence” secessionist forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means.

China’s complete reunification will surely be achieved, and Taiwan will inevitably return to the embrace of the motherland.

As a Chinese saying goes, “Strong wind reveals the strength of grass, and genuine gold stands the test of fire.”

China’s economy has demonstrated strong resilience and vast potential, withstanding pressures while maintaining stable growth. Its sound fundamentals for long-term development will remain unchanged.

In the first half of this year, China's GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year. Equipment manufacturing, high-tech industries, and the services sector are showing robust growth, and the overall economy is operating steadily with a positive momentum.

These achievements are particularly valuable against the backdrop of mounting global uncertainties and external challenges.

China will be more steadfast in deepening reform, advance high-quality development, and continue to inject impetus into global economic recovery.

Over the past three years, China-Australia relations have achieved comprehensive improvement.

In July, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and noted that the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered its second decade. China stands ready to work with Australia to further advance our bilateral relations for sound development to bring greater benefits to our peoples.

Our Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of six MoUs and protocols.

China has remained Australia’s largest trading partner, export market, and import source for 16 consecutive years.

The Chinese and Australian economies are highly complementary. Australia's abundant resources have provided important support for China's rapid development, while China's super-sized market remains a key driver of Australia’s sustained prosperity.

At a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, as important countries in the Asia-Pacific, China and Australia should build consensus on regional and international issues and enhance cooperation under multilateral frameworks.

By adhering to mutual respect, equality, and seeking common ground while shelving differences, we will ensure that China-Australia relations enjoy steady and sustained growth, while contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region and beyond.

To quote a Chinese poem, “True friends always feel close to each other, no matter the distance between them.”

The ties between China and Queensland date back to the 19th century, with the Chinese community making indelible contributions to Queensland’s economic and social development.

Since the 1990s, over 20 sister-state and sister-city relationships have been established between China and Queensland, reflecting the growing profound friendship between China and Australia.

China is Queensland’s largest trading partner, largest source of international students, and an important source of investment. China will remain key to Queensland’s future prosperity and job creation.

It is worth mentioning that the achievements of Chinese modernization have commanded worldwide attention.

China has made remarkable progress in eliminating poverty, advancing prosperity, and safeguarding human rights.

President Xi Jinping proposed the theory of poverty alleviation with Chinese characteristics, highlighting that the leadership of the CPC provided the political and organizational guarantee for winning the battle against poverty.

The theory has offered strong guidance in China's poverty reduction practices and contributed Chinese wisdom to global poverty alleviation and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

My colleagues at the Consulate-General in Brisbane and I will remain committed to broadening mutual trust and mutual benefit in China-Australia and China-Queensland relations.

We will continue to wholeheartedly act on the commitment of serving the people through diplomacy, bring warmth to overseas Chinese, students, and Chinese enterprises, and work harder to promote broader exchanges and cooperation.

Let us join hands to sail forward and usher in a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between China and Queensland.

For seventy-six years, the People’s Republic of China has weathered storms and emerged stronger. With firm resolve, we march toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

China is a force for peace. The stronger China becomes, the greater the guarantee of world peace.

May our motherland enjoy lasting prosperity!

May the friendship between China and Australia, and between China and Queensland, endure forever!

Thank you!