The Chinese Embassy in Canberra hosted a reception on Wednesday night to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, doubling as a welcome event for newly arrived Ambassador Liu Jinsong.
More than 400 guests attended, including Official Secretary to the Governor-General Gerard Martin PSM, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Justin Hayhurst, and Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michael Growder. Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Australia’s Chinese community, Chinese businesses and Chinese students were also present.
In his address, Ambassador Liu pointed to China’s economic and social development over recent decades, saying Beijing would continue to pursue “peaceful development” while safeguarding national unity, pursuing high-quality growth and further opening its economy. He described China’s progress as an opportunity rather than a threat for Australia, and said deepening the bilateral relationship would require sustained effort from both sides.
The ambassador called for the relationship to be guided by mutual respect, practical cooperation and people-to-people ties, and said Beijing and Canberra should build on the understandings reached by their respective leaders to keep relations on a stable footing.
Responding on behalf of the Australian Government, Mr Growder offered congratulations on the anniversary and welcomed Ambassador Liu to his new post. He said Australia valued a stable and constructive relationship with China and noted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was looking forward to attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China later this year. Mr Growder also conveyed the Australian Government’s condolences over recent flooding and landslides along the China-Nepal border.
The evening included cultural performances by Chinese and Australian artists, with guests offering their congratulations to Ambassador Liu and expressing hope for continued stability in the China-Australia relationship.
