On 21 February, Consul-General HE Lanjing was invited to the new wines pre-production event and ceremony of anti-COVID-19 donation for China hosted by the Auswan Creek. South Australian Minister for Trade and Investment David Ridgway, and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Stephan Knoll, former Australian Ambassador to China Dr. Geoff Raby, as well as business representatives attended.

Consul-General HE positively evaluated the cooperation achievements between China and South Australia in economy and trade, then gave a focus on the improving situation of China’s fight against COVID-19. She said, under the leadership of President XI Jinping, the Chinese government and people have withstood the test and won the respect and recognition of the international community with their efforts and even sacrifice. We have full confidence to prevail over the virus. China urges the Australian side to respect WHO’s professional advice, lift the travel ban over foreign nationals from Chinese mainland as soon as possible. She also highlighted that China has a market of enormous size and economy of strong resilience. As positive progress in epidemic response has continued to be made, a promising future for the cooperation between China and South Australia can be expected.

Minister Ridgway said the South Australian Government gives high priority to extending its ties with China and the epidemic will never change it. Dr. Raby highly appreciated China’s efforts to battle the outbreak and believed China will win this fight in the end.

At last, the guests witnessed the donation ceremony of the Auswan’s one million yuan RMB anti-epidemic supplies to the hospitals in Wuhan, and sent their encouraging messages to cheer on China fighting against COVID-19.