Melbourne Town Hall, 22 July 2018  

Hon. Hong Lim, Vice Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Representing the Victorian Government,

Hon. Bruce Atkinson, President of the Legislative Council of Victoria,

Hon. Robert Clark, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Representing Hon. Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition in Victoria,

Ms. Inga Peulich, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs,

Ms. Su Junxi, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Victoria,

Leaders and Representatives of the Chinese Community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

It is a pleasure for me to attend this grand ceremony commemorating 200 years of Chinese immigration to Australia. Let me first thank the organizers and those who have contributed to and supported today’s event. My thanks also go to all the friends who have cared about and supported the Chinese community.

Over the past 200 years, the Chinese immigrants, working diligently and in an enterprising spirit, have built new homes for themselves and their offspring and formed a promising and dynamic Chinese community in Australia.

In this process, they have become an integral part of multicultural Australia, making historical contributions to the development and prosperity of this country.

The arrival of Chinese immigrants 200 years ago kicked off the people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia in modern times. A new chapter was opened in our relations when we established diplomatic relations in 1972, which have grown to be what is now the comprehensive strategic partnership. China is now Australia’s largest trading partner, and our business links and cultural and people-to-people exchanges are growing with each passing day. All this has demonstrated the solid basis of our relationship.

Among all the states in Australia, Victoria has played a leading role in growing relations with China. Premier Andrews has visited China once a year in recent years, and the implementation of the new China Strategy has made good progress. As Premier Andrews has stressed on many occasions, Victoria is not only developing business and trade relations with China, but also committed to deepening mutual understanding and friendship and forging a long-term partnership with China on the basis of mutual trust. We believe that under the guidance of this visionary strategy, Victoria’s exchanges and cooperation with China will reach new heights.

What we have achieved in bilateral relations would not have been possible without the joint support of the government and people of all walks of life in both countries and the good contributions of the Chinese community in Australia. At the same time, the sound and stable growth of China-Australia relations has brought real benefits to people on both sides, including the Chinese community.

The history of the past 200 years deserves to be remembered dearly. Today, 200 years on, we are standing at a new starting point in history. I believe that the Chinese here will continue to work as hard as ever to create a better life and build a harmonious and thriving Chinese community. I hope you will carry on the fine Chinese traditions and the Chinese culture and contribute more to the prosperity of multicultural Australia. I also hope that you will continue to serve as a bridge between Australia and your country of origin and do more to support and engage in bilateral exchanges and cooperation to further deepen the friendship between our two countries.

Thank you.