Victorian Chinese Associations jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, and the inauguration ceremony of the 32nd Executive Committee of the Federation of Chinese Associations (VIC) Inc.
Victorian Chinese Associations jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, and the inauguration ceremony of the 32nd Executive Committee of the Federation of Chinese Associations (VIC) Inc. at Park Hyatt Hotel on Saturday 17 December 2022.
The celebration begins with the Executive chairman of the event organizing committee, Zheng, Chang Zhen announcing the official start of the event and entrusting master of ceremony Ms. Zhao YuYing and Mr. Patrick Dempsey to host the event, all participants standing up and singing Australian/Chinese National Anthems.
Representative of Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Natalie Suleyman MP (Ministers for Veterans/Small Business/Youth of Victoria) introduced President Derrick Chen, by presenting the letter of appointment of President of ‘The Federation of Chinese Associations (VIC) Inc.’(FCA)
In his speech, President Derrick Chen said that on behalf of the organizing committee, he extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all the guests. He reviewed the 50th anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations is the greatest and the most special significance to both countries. He said that in the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, both countries respected each other, cooperated friendly and practically in every aspect, with results benefiting the two countries and their peoples. Despite the twists and turns have gone through ups and downs, the two countries have always maintained the main theme of mutual benefit and win-win results, and promoted cooperation, and the economic development of the two sides, brought great benefits to the people in Australia and China. He emphasized that overseas Chinese in Australia have played an important role of bridge and ties in promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between Australia and China and promoting the development of bilateral relations. The Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc.(FCA) currently has 175 member associations. On October 30, 2022, the new 32nd Executive Committee was elected by the member associations. He said that he would lead the newly elected Executive Committee to maintain the friendship between Australia and China, promote friendly exchanges between Australia and China, actively expand exchanges with non-Chinese associations, develop and strengthen cooperative relations with other multicultural associations in various regions, and work hard!
He then presented Letters of Appointment to the newly elected 32nd Executive Committee members one by one.
The Council:
Executive Vice President: Zheng Changzhen
Vice-President: Yin Yongsheng, Miao Qing, Zhou Guohua, Chen Chen, Hu Wei, Li Xiumei
Secretary-General: Li Mingjie
Deputy Secretary-General-Chinese: Hu Guiqin
Deputy Secretary-General-English: Sheena Xue
Finance: Lin Kai
Deputy Finance: Song Alin
Director of Public Relations: Wang Xiaoyue
Deputy Director of Public Relations: Na Yan
Council members: Ding Hao, Lin Wenyi, Xu Xiaoli, Chen Biyu, Lin Xi, Shi Mingshuai
Board of Supervisors:
Supervisor: Du Ying
Deputy Supervisor: Tang Yuyi
The new 32nd Executive Committee of FCA
In the beautiful music, Mr. Yu Shuqin, a famous Melbourne singer, and the host Patrick sang "Auld Lang Syne”(Friendship lasts forever). The atmosphere of the banquet hall climaxed. The guests on the scene felt the strong friendship between Australia and China and deep blessings for the future.
Next is DR. Carina Garland MP, spoke on behalf of Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, she thanked all Chinese associations in state of Victoria for their incredible work in the past few years, and congratulated the newly elected 32nd Executive Committee of FCA and greetings to all friends who participated in tonight's event. She highly praised the 50-year friendship between Australia and China. She believes that the relationship between Australia and China is an important part of Australia's history. It is worth mentioning that the development of Australia-China relations has been much longer than the 50th anniversary. The business relationship between Chinese immigrants and Australians can be seen in the magnificent commercial buildings built in the 19th century on the streets of Melbourne. As early as the gold rush era, Chinese gold prospectors had already made great contributions to Australia's economic development. Without the participation of Chinese gold prospectors, there would be no history of gold rushing in Australia. He thanked the Chinese immigrants who have come to Australia since the 19th century for their outstanding contributions in Victoria. Unfortunately, some Chinese immigrants have suffered racial discrimination recently, which is shameful and condemnable as it utterly ignored the long history of Chinese Diaspora in Australia! Now we are here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, 51 years after Mr. Gough Whitlam's first visit to China and established relations with China. We are grateful for Gough Whitlam's innovative spirit made Australia a modern international country. He also abolished the White-Australian policy which should not have happened at first place. She thanked to all the participants tonight, that it is an important sign of the great importance attached to this major event and to the FCA. Dr. Carina Garland MP said that her Chisholm community, Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have also done a lot of important work to strengthen and improve the relationships with our neighbor-countries and the rest of the world. She hopes that we will continue this tradition and develop multiculturalism. She expressed her eagerness to celebrate more activities with the Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc. in the future.
In his speech by the representative of Federal Liberal Party Leader Peter Dutton, the Hon. Jason Wood MP first thanked the organizing committee for its kind invitation. He explained that since 1840, Australia has greatly benefited from Chinese immigrants from all over the world and promoted Economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. He thanks the Australian Chinese communities for their great contribution to Australia in many areas. He congratulates on the newly elected 32nd Executive Committee of FCA, and wishes them a new brilliance under the leadership of President of FCA, Derrick Chen.
Zeng Jianhua, Acting Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne, said in his speech that China-Australia relations have experienced many difficulties in the past few years, but now comes the joy of improving. He also mentioned that he has participated in many celebrations organized by the Australian government and overseas Chinese in the past two months, which fully reflects the overseas Chinese and people eager to improve China-Australia relations. The 50th anniversary is of great and special significance to China and Australia. We look forward to China and Australia taking this opportunity to work together to plan and create a better future in their relations.
In her speech by the Minister, the Hon Natalie Suleyman MP who represents Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Daniel Andrews, she said she was pleased to meet every one here on behalf of Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria. She conveyed Premier Daniel's best wishes for this wonderful event. She’s very happy to be here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. She thanked to the Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne for giving a wonderful speech in front of her. She agrees with him, and she congratulates the newly appointed members of the 32nd Executive Committee of FCA! She thanked to the Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc. for its outstanding contribution to the promotion of Chinese cultural spirit and multicultural development in Victoria, and its crucial role in supporting the diplomatic relations between Australia and China. Tonight, she said, we are here to commemorate the landmark 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. This is a very important opportunity to reflect deeply on the moment of history. Victoria has always had unique and closer economic, cultural and cultural ties with China. China is Victoria's largest trading partner and major investor, as well as the main source of international students, tourists and technical migrants, and we are very proud of it. She pointed out that last year alone, the volume of merchandise trade between Victoria and China exceeded 40 billion Australian dollars. The Victorian government also continues to provide support to overseas Chinese international students, including through the establishment of a special learning center in Shanghai. In addition to trade and investment, Victoria has long-standing cultural and cultural ties with China. In 2015, Victoria and China signed a cultural cooperation agreement, which strengthened our mutual cooperation and understanding in sharing and creating culture. In recent years, we have seen the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Ballet tour in China. Recently, the “Million Stories Exhibition” has been exhibited in our two countries and permanently exhibited at the Chinese History Museum in Melbourne, Australia. This is an extraordinary exhibition, which has witnessed the significant contributions of Chinese Australians for more than 200 years. Throughout Victoria, we continue to see the protection of our common history and culture through art and culture. 2020 ushered in another 20th anniversary of friendship and partnership between the two cities, and we will continue to look forward to the future of a multicultural Victoria and a better international relationship in the future.
Federal MP Micheal Sukkar MP sent a video message. First of all, he congratulated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China and the establishment of the 32nd Executive Committee of FCA. He stressed that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China is of milestones. Especially in the current relatively severe historical period, Australia-China relations are not only very important for the relations between the two countries, but also affect many surrounding countries. He recalled the gradual sublimation of successive prime ministers of diplomatic relations with China. He looked forward to the new elected 32ndExecutive Committee of FCA to help further deepen the development of relations between the two countries.
Subsequently, Mr. Liu Le, a representative of Lord Mayor of City of Melbourne, said that the Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc. played an active role in Australia-China relations and looked forward to better prospects for Australia-China relations in the future.
At the next stage of the party, President Derrick Chen issued certificates of honor to the sponsors and sponsors of the party, 1) Permanent Honorary Chairman Platinum Sponsor Wang Weiyu
"An old immigrant from Shanghai successfully put Chinese electromechanical products into the Australian market"
2) Honorary Chairman Platinum Sponsor He Xinming
President of Shunkang Group
3) Celebration Advisor Silver Sponsor
Hexa Group: William YANG, Leon LIU, Chino LI
4) Celebration Advisor Silver Sponsor
Li Songlin, Xinjiang Altay Second Ranch Liquor Co., Ltd.
5) Bronze Medal Sponsor
Zhang Jianyang, John Stonemart Pty Ltd Andeli Stone Industry
6) Sponsor
R&F Group R&F Australia
7) Sponsor
Cindy Cai, a gentleman of the peace
Mr. Wang Weiyu, the Permanent Honorary Chairman of the FCA, delivered an impassioned speech. He reviewed his entrepreneurial process in Australia, thanked the good opportunity brought by friendly relations between Australia and China, which enabled his career to start and to develop in Australia. He said that it was his original intention to pay back to the society, by counting his contributions to the Australian Chinese community, and then said that he would continue to support the Chinese communities and contribute to Australia-China relations in the future!
In his musical narrative poem, Director Liu Zhengfu, reviewed the glorious process of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, important historical nodes and major events, its historical significance and far-reaching impact on the two countries.
Mr. Arthur Wu, Chairman of the Hongmen Democratic Party, honorary advisory of the organizing committee, also made a wonderful speech and delivered an important speech. He highly praised the importance of the friendly relations between Australia and China, and reviewed the far-reaching impact of this historical event on the two countries and the good expectations for the future relations between Australia and China. Congratulations on the elected 32nd Executive Committee of FCA, and look forward to the new Committee to continue to play the role of a bridge in the development of bilateral relations of Australia and China.
Ms. Su Junxi, honorary advisory of the organizing committee, subsequently expressed her good expectations for Australia-China relations and congratulated newly elected 32nd Executive Committee and members of FCA.
Mr. Zhong Fuxi, former president of the FCA, reviewed the history of the FCA on behalf of successive presidents. He said that ‘The Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc.’(FCA) has been established for more than 40 years and many people of the FCA are silently doing volunteer work. They work hard, selfless dedication, unite and forge ahead. Under the banner of the FCA, groups of public welfare warriors are not afraid of difficulties. They love the Chinese community, multicultural exchanges, and love this land. They are the spokespersons of the Chinese community, a microphone to express the opinions of the Chinese community to the government, and the guardians of the rights and interests of the Chinese community. They are the backbone of the Chinese ethnic group. Because of the excellent performance of the FCA, the Chinese name is famous and shines in Australian multiculturalism. We applaud the friendship between Australia and China and are proud of the Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc.
The Hon. Bruce Atkinson, former chairman of the Legislative Council of Victoria also made a speech, he pointed out that we all know that the well-being brought by the historical friendly relations between Australia and China to the peoples of the two countries. Now we should look more on the future and further develop the relationship conducive to the long-term development of the two countries more far-reaching. I look forward to the new 32nd Executive Committee of FCA being able to make a greater contribution to it.
Mozart's "Turkish March" – live string performing by Luzhihua String Orchestra in Victoria sounded at the venue, brings the celebration came to an end. Guests and friends greeted each other and took group photos for this memorable event.
The event was solemn and grand. The Australian Federal Government, the State of Victoria Government and the City of Melbourne attached great importance to it. They sent representatives to congratulate and deliver speeches. Mr. Zeng Jianhua, acting Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne, personally attended the celebration and delivered an important speech. People from all walks of life in Australia - Industrial/Commercial/Arts, celebrities, community representatives, and distinguished guests from Chinese Embassies and Consulates, representatives of various associations from the Chinese communities in Melbourne all gathered at the prestigious Park Hyatt Hotel. Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate this 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China and congratulated the 32nd Executive Committee of FCA. With high hopes, we all look forward to the bright future of relations between Australia and China, and the long-term prospects for the future development of ‘The Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Inc.'.
华联会秘书处