Victoria’s Chinese Community Celebrates Premier Li Qiang’s Successful Visit to Australia.
On July 13, 2024, the Federation of Chinese Associations Victoria Australia (or FCA) organized a grand celebration banquet at Grand Hyatt Hotel Melbourne, attended by representatives of the Chinese community. The event was held to warmly celebrate Premier Li Qiang's successful visit to Australia. This gathering marked a new height in the strategic mutual trust and friendly relations between China and Australia.
Fang Xinwen, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne; Liu Dongyuan and Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Consuls Generals; Federal MP Keith Wolahan; Bruce Atkinson, former President of the Victorian Legislative Council and Senior Advisor to the Victorian Chinese Community Association; Melbourne City Councilor Kevin Louey; Members of the Victorian Chinese Community Development Steering Committee—Mr. Zhong Fuxi, Mr. Li Hui, Mr. Zheng Yutang, Mr. Zhao Jiebao, and Justice of the Peace Ms. Ao Leixue Yuan, Mr. Huang Zhuang; Advisors to the Victorian Chinese Community Association's Legal Advisory Committee, Leonard Hartnett, Peter Michalopoulos, and Jack Dalziel; Wang Bihong, President of the White Horse Chamber of Commerce; and over 300 representatives of the Chinese community in Victoria attended the event. The banquet was co-hosted by Anna Wang, Deputy Secretary General of FCA and FCA Youth Division, and international student Gong Zhizhou.
The celebration officially commenced with the national anthems of China and Australia, performed by Liu Xinyi, a judge from the 2024 "Cultural China Water Cube Cup" Chinese Song Contest Melbourne Division, along with award-winning contestants Chao Honghuan, Li Xinyue, Wang Baile, and Zhao Zhao.
Mr. Derrick Chen (Chen Yunguo), Chairman of the FCA, first took the stage to deliver a welcome speech to all the guests, thanking everyone for coming together to celebrate this significant milestone. He specifically expressed gratitude to Premier Li Qiang for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with representatives of the Chinese community in Australia, stating: "Premier Li's care and encouragement make us feel warm and proud. We will continue to uphold the excellent traditions of the Chinese nation, contribute to promoting friendly exchanges between China and Australia, and support Australia's multicultural and harmonious society."
He went on to express deep gratitude to the nearly 800 Chinese community members and representatives who travelled to Canberra to welcome Premier Li Qiang, organized by the FCA. He said: "Your enthusiasm and love for our ancestral homeland made the Chinese red flag fly high during the Premier's visit. In response to provocations from extremist forces, you stood up multiple times to defend the interests of our homeland, enabling the activities to proceed smoothly."
Chairman Chen also highlighted that since its establishment, FCA has been dedicated to serving the Chinese community, making it the most influential and largest comprehensive Chinese community organization in Victoria. He emphasized the association's mission of uniting Chinese people, striving for rights, preserving Chinese culture, and providing social services to the Chinese community. The association has always advocated for the principles of loving the ancestral homeland and being loyal to the country of residence, promoting both Chinese and Australian cultures.
Finally, Chairman Chen enumerated the tireless efforts of Mr. Fang Xinwen, the newly appointed Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne, in deepening China-Australia friendly relations, safeguarding the rights of the Chinese community, and promoting the development of Chinese-funded institutions. He expressed sincere thanks for these contributions.
After the speech, Chairman Chen, on behalf of the FCA, presented a boomerang with Australian characteristics as an inauguration gift to Consul General Fang Xinwen. This gesture expressed the Chinese community's recognition and gratitude towards the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne and Consul General Fang Xinwen. Consul General Fang took the stage to accept the gift and thanked the Chinese community for their ongoing support and acknowledgment.
Subsequently, Consul General Fang Xinwen, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne, extended warm congratulations on the successful celebration. In his speech, he emphasized: "The success of Premier Li Qiang's visit is inseparable from the support and participation of the Chinese community, and the hard work of everyone present. Under the leadership of the FCA, the compatriots in our consular district organized themselves and traveled long distances to Canberra to welcome Premier Li. During this time, everyone overcame the difficulties of severe winter temperatures, inconvenient accommodations, and transportation. With drums and songs, waving the national flags of China and Australia, they welcomed Premier Li Qiang, sending out the strongest message of the love of the overseas Chinese for their ancestral homeland, their concern and support for China-Australia friendship, and their anticipation of a successful high-level visit. They created a festive and warm atmosphere, making significant positive contributions to the success of the delegation's visit."
Consul General Fang conveyed the gratitude and greetings of Xiao Qian, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Australia, to the guests present. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne, he expressed high respect and thanks to the Chinese community members who participated in the welcoming activities in Canberra. Additionally, Consul General Fang introduced favourable news about the visa facilitation policies between China and Australia, such as China including Australia in the list of countries with unilateral visa exemption. He encouraged and welcomed friends from all walks of life in the consular district to visit China frequently, to personally experience Chinese-style modernization.
Next, Federal MP Keith Wolahan took the stage and said: "I was very honoured to be invited to attend the Prime Minister's luncheon last month. I believe the theme of that luncheon was 'Hope for the Future,' and this hope is built on a foundation of mutual benefit and trust. Melbourne is about to become Australia's largest city, which brings enormous opportunities and challenges. We need extensive infrastructure development and businesses, and we need vitality to build a beautiful city. I can't think of any community that plays a more important role than the Chinese community in Melbourne!
During the Gold Rush, Melbourne was the most prosperous city on Earth, and at the peak of the Gold Rush, one-fifth of the miners were Chinese. At that time, Chinese miners were among the most successful, hardworking, and entrepreneurial miners, overcoming all obstacles, including discrimination. By focusing on education and the next generation, and through the efforts and support of the Chinese community, Melbourne will become a beacon of prosperity for the world!"
Bruce Atkinson, former President of the Victorian Legislative Council and Senior Advisor to the FCA, mentioned in his speech: "Premier Li Qiang's visit to Australia is another important step in the development of Australia-China relations. When China opened in the 1970s, the relationship between Australia and China was like a sprint, moving very quickly, and much has happened in the decades since. However, the relationship between nations is not just a sprint; it is a marathon that requires time, joint effort, and the creation of opportunities.
I have a very firm commitment to the Chinese community because it is such a generous community, a vibrant and innovative community, with people who are building bridges. Globally, there are many challenges, not just geopolitical conflicts, but also issues like climate change. We need to work together to develop solutions, build understanding, and establish trust so that we can continue to move forward and create tremendous opportunities."
Finally, he expressed high praise for the FCA led by Chairman Chen. He believes that the Association is an umbrella organization encompassing many important groups, providing an excellent platform for everyone to better understand each other and to explore opportunities for a prosperous, successful, and peaceful future.
After the speech segment, a highlight video of Premier Li Qiang's visit to Australia and a video recording of the Victorian Chinese communities traveling to Canberra were played, resonating with all the guests present. The lively and graceful Chinese dance performance "九州同 (Nine States Together)" by the children of the Charm Dance School further enhanced the atmosphere of unity at the event.
Subsequently, Mr. Chen Yunguo, Chairman of FCA, took the stage to issue certificates to the newly appointed council members. The following individuals received their certificates on stage: Vice Chairmen Shen Shuixing, Fu Gaochao (representative), Li Shiwen, Yang Yinan, Yang Zhi, Chunjiang Wu, and Chris Wang; Secretary General Lavender Xiao; Deputy Secretary General Anna Wang; Directors Xu Sichuan, Chen Jianhao, Alex Li, Lucas He, Jennifer Liu, and Betty Li; and Supervisor Fu Dong.
In the end, Consul General Fang Xinwen of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne, along with other distinguished guests, all members of FCA council, and singers from the 2024 "Cultural China Water Cube Cup" Song Contest Melbourne Division, sang "Descendants of the Dragon" together. This performance expressed the deep love and longing of the Chinese people for their ancestral homeland. In a lively, warm, and united atmosphere, the grand celebration banquet "China-Australia Visit - Strategic Mutual Trust" to celebrate Premier Li Qiang's successful visit to Australia officially came to an end.
This celebration banquet was not only a commemoration of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's successful visit to Australia but also a grand event for cultural exchange between Australia and China. It showcased the deep friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of the two countries. Through such activities, both sides look forward to further deepening mutual understanding and trust, promoting the continuous, healthy, and stable development of Australia-China relations.
Edit：Anna Wang
Photography：James Cheng
Translation: Sarah Xia
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