Your Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia
The Honourable Jay Weatherill, Premier of South Australia,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us at this reception. First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Consulate-General of China in Adelaide, and in my own name, to extend our warmest welcome and sincerest thanks to all the distinguished guests present today.

As the newly appointed Consul-General of China in Adelaide, I came here in late July. Though never been South Australia before and not long since the arrival, my wife and I are left with a very good first impression of South Australia and Adelaide in particular. The graceful natural environment, colorful multiculture as well as the friendly people here all make me feel warm and at home. This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Australia diplomatic ties with the bilateral relationship being at a crucial stage of development. I am so blessed to assume my post at this time and also keenly aware of the lofty mission and important responsibilities on my shoulders.

In the past few weeks, I have attended lots of events and met with many dignitaries and people from various backgrounds such as business, education and Chinese communities. I was truly touched and overwhelmed by the hospitality of South Australia people towards China. I also deeply felt their high expectations and sound visions of deepening friendship with China, which accords with the general trend of development and the will of our two peoples.

At present, China-Australia relations have leapt forward with fruitful results in all fields of cooperation. In 2014, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Australia and uplifted the bilateral relationship to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In 2015, China-Australia Free Trade Agreement was officially signed and entered into force that have delivered enormous benefits to both peoples. Then in March of this year, Premier Li Keqiang concluded his official goodwill visit to Australia, further advancing this bilateral relationship.

The China-South Australia relations is a significant part of China-Australia relations. South Australia is abundant in agricultural, tourism and mineral resources and well-developed in the education as well as the science and technology sectors. China and South Australia enjoy a high degree of complementarity for mutual development. The past few years have witnessed the remarkable progress in this flourishing relationship and close cooperation with frequent people-to-people contacts, vigorous cultural exchanges and robust investment. China has become the largest trading partner of South Australia. In 2015-2016, the bilateral trade amounted to 3.95 billion AU dollars, accounting for 20% of South Australia’s trade in total. China is also the largest export destination, largest source of imports as well as the leading market of international students for South Australia. Both the state and city governments highly value their relations with China. Just minutes ago, I have had a meeting with the Premier Mr Jay Weatherill. Based upon a friendly exchange of views on the advancement of China-South Australia relations, we have reached a broad consensus. Particularly, the new update of South Australia-China Engagement Strategy outlines an overarching objective to strengthen South Australia’s partnership with China, enhance and deepen the long-term engagement as well as win-win cooperation in areas encompassing investment, trade and business, education and others, and the exchange of personnel and skills.

South Australia is also one of the most concentrated area of overseas Chinese people. These people have worked hard and integrated themselves into local society actively, contributing a great deal to the economic development, social progress and the booming of multiculturalism of South Australia. They have also played the indispensable role as the "bridge" and "bond" for the communications and cooperation between the two sides.

In recent years, China's economy has continued to grow rapidly with an ever expanding economic volume. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in May of this year has been a great success. Guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the forum has scored fruitful achievements in promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds. All of these undoubtedly will provide more opportunities for the development of all countries including Australia and lay a solid foundation for our future cooperation.

The sound relationship between China and South Australia should be attributed to the generous support and joint efforts by all our friends present today, as well as overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises, students studying here and so forth. So on behalf of the Consulate-General of China in Adelaide, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of you.

There exists huge potential and broad prospects for cooperation between China and South Australia when looking ahead. I have every confidence in carrying out work in the future as Chinese new Consul-General in Adelaide. In the meantime, I am deeply grateful for the substantial support and assistance everyone here has given to our Consulate-General all the time. Then I will do my utmost to perform my duties well, strengthen the friendly cooperation between China and South Australia across all levels of government, expand personnel and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and promote China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as the all-round pragmatic cooperation between China and South Australia to a new high.

Now, may I invite you to join me in a toast:

To the prosperity of both China and Australia,
To the everlasting friendship and deepening cooperation between China and South Australia,
To the good health and family happiness of all guests,

Cheers!

Thank you!