(October 16, 2025)

Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts,
Mr. Peter Russo, the Member for Toohey,
Mr. Peter Zheng, President of Australia China Cultural and Economic Promotion Association,
Mr. Michael Ma, President of Queensland Chinese United Council,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good evening!

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today at the Queensland Parliament for the “Parliamentary Friends of the People’s Republic of China 2025” event, and renew our friendship with both old and new friends. Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to Mr. John-Paul Langbroek MP and Mr. Peter Russo MP for their thoughtful arrangements, and to Mr. Zheng Zhiwu for his hard work in organizing this meaningful event.

At present, the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership stands at an important juncture as it enters its second decade. In July this year, Prime Minister Albanese paid a successful visit to China. The leaders of our two countries reached important consensus on further deepening bilateral relations. China is ready to work together with Australia to build a more mature, stable and productive Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

As Queensland’s largest trading partner, China’s two-way trade with Queensland exceeded 43 billion Australian dollars last year. Chinese new energy vehicles such as BYD and MG are increasingly common on Brisbane’s streets. Cultural exchange initiatives, including the Lotus Prize and Chinese Consulate-General Open Day, continue to thrive with renewed vitality. Meanwhile, China’s 30-day visa-free policy has brought new convenience for Queensland friends to explore our country.

The Chinese community in Queensland has carried forward the fine traditions of the Chinese nation—diligence, courage, honesty, solidarity and perseverance. They have integrated their personal development into the broader cause of China-Queensland friendship and made important contributions to the advancement of China-Australia relations.

This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Last month, we held a grand celebration. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have achieved national independence and liberation. Through decades of hard work, we have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, benefiting over a billion people, and achieved remarkable development outcomes that have riveted the attention of the world. China has embarked on a path of modernization that benefits both itself and the world.

China is committed to achieving common prosperity for all. After eight years of efforts, we have lifted nearly 100 million rural poor out of extreme poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule. Last year, China’s GDP reached 18.74 trillion US dollars, with per capita GDP around 13,500 US dollars. Online shopping, digital education, and smart transport are now part of everyday life, and our national development blueprint is increasingly reflected in people’s growing sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

China’s new development brings new opportunities to the world. For years in a row, China has accounted for more than 30 percent of global economic growth, standing as a key engine powering the world’s steady and sustainable progress. The high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has yielded fruitful results: over 3,000 projects have been launched, creating more than 420,000 jobs and generating nearly one trillion US dollars in investment. According to the World Bank, by 2030, the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to contribute to lifting 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million from moderate poverty. Major international expos such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Canton Fair, and China International Supply Chain Expo have become important platforms for sharing China’s vast market opportunities, allowing more countries to benefit fairly from the fruits of development.

Behind these great achievements lies the success of the Chinese path. Based on its own national conditions, China has adhered to addressing its challenges through Chinese solutions and has successfully embarked on a path of modernization with Chinese characteristics. This is socialist modernization under the leadership of the CPC and a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. The CPC’s leadership is directly related to the fundamental direction, future prospects, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese modernization. From implementing the Eight-Point Rules that advocates the spirit of diligence and sobriety as well as the reduction of documents and meetings, to introducing over 300 major reform measures, the CPC has consistently demonstrated the clarity and responsibility expected of a major ruling party, with the courage to face problems and the resolve to reform itself, fulfilling its original aspiration and mission of serving the people.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

The world today is undergoing profound changes, with global challenges emerging one after another. In this context, China is ready to uphold courageously the great principle and the common good of the world.

In September, China hosted the largest-ever and most productive Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, calling for staying committed to sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and real results—offering Chinese wisdom and solutions to wipe out global governance deficits.

In October, Beijing hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, bringing together representatives from around the world to discuss the advancement of women’s development. China advocated genuine multilateralism and the promotion of women’s rights through development. China has been an advocate and a doer in striving for gender equality and women’s well-rounded development.

Standing at a new starting point, the Chinese Consulate-General is ready to work hand in hand with friends from all walks of life in Queensland. Together, we can seize the new opportunities arising from China’s modernization, take the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games as a catalyst, deepen cooperation, strengthen people-to-people bonds, and jointly build an even brighter future for China-Queensland relations.

Thank you!