On 17th September, CCCA Adelaide Branch and ACBC SA Branch jointly hosted a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Hilton Hotel Adelaide. Consul-General HE Lanjing attended and gave a speech. South Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Mr. David Ridgway delivered a speech on behalf of the Premier. More than 120 people from the South Australian political, business and local Chinese communities attended the event, including ACBC Vice President and ACBC SA Branch President Mr. Sean Keenihan, CCCA Adelaide Branch President Mr. Gao Fusheng, former SA Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mr. Martin Hamilton-Smith.

Consul-General HE Lanjing said in her speech that the past 70 years has witnessed profound changes in China, which is widely regarded as an unprecedented development miracle in human history. And such achievements come from every effort, every drop of sweat of the hard-working Chinese people under the strong leadership of Chinese Communist Party. At present, China's economy has sustained a stable performance with good momentum for growth and the high-quality development is paying off. In the future, Chinese market will continue to release its sizable potential. China has all the necessary conditions, capabilities and every confidence to deal with any risks or challenges. It will continue to promote opening-up at higher level, stay committed to mutual beneficial and win-win outcomes, and firmly safeguard its own legitimate interests and development rights. In recent years, the practical cooperation in economy and trade between China and South Australia has been gaining momentum, making itself a strong impetus to the relationship between the two sides. The business community is a key driving force of the development of this cooperative relations. It is hoped that the business communities on both sides could seize the strategic opportunities of China's development, fully tap the potential, explore new areas to cooperate and play an active role in further deepening the practical cooperation between China and South Australia.

In his speech, Minister Ridgway warmly congratulated on the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. He said South Australia has had exchanges with China since very early times and local Chinese have made outstanding contributions to the economic and social development of South Australia. Now the two sides enjoy close contact and fruitful cooperation. China has become South Australia's largest trading partner, largest source of tourists and international students. The South Australian Government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and has established offices in Shanghai, Shandong, and Hong Kong. It is committed to deepening cooperation with its sister-state Shandong Province and is willing to work together with the Chinese Consulate-General and the business communities of both countries to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation for new progress constantly.

Speaking on behalf of their respective chambers of commerce, Mr. Sean Keenihan and Mr. Gao Fusheng highly praised China's remarkable achievements and promised stronger interaction and coordination with each other to jointly push the trade, investment and economic cooperation between China and South Australia to a higher level.

The guests extended their congratulations to Consul-General HE on the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and spoke highly of China's development and progress.