On 3rd December, Consul-General He Lanjing attended the award ceremony of the first South Australian "Chinese Singing Competition" held at the University of Adelaide Elder Hall and delivered a speech. Member of Legislative Council Mr Tung The Ngo representing the Premier of South Australia, Councillor Li Jing representing the Mayor of Adelaide, members of the South Australian Multicultural Council, Mr George Chen and Ms Anna Cheung, President of the Australia-China Cultural Promotion Association Mr John Huang and about 300 people attended the ceremony.
Consul-General He said it was significant to hold the Chinese singing competition under the theme of "Friendship" on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. Chinese songs have a unique value in promoting cultural exchanges and fostering friendship among people. Through Chinese songs, overseas compatriots can carry forward the excellent Chinese culture and show their positive attitude. Local people can enhance the effect of learning the Chinese language by learning Chinese songs. It is hoped that the participants will continue to sing good Chinese songs and act as "civilian ambassadors" to promote friendship between Australia and China. The Chinese Consulate-General will continue to support local friendship organisations to organise more activities to promote Chinese culture and friendship and exchange between China and Australia, to facilitate people-to-people contact.
Mr. Ngo said that the Chinese song competition today is the best way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. It is hoped that the contestants, regardless of their results, will continue to learn with enthusiasm and make new contributions to the development of multiculturalism and cultural exchanges in South Australia.
Councillor Li Jing said that Adelaide is a prosperous multicultural city with a thriving multicultural community, where people of many cultural backgrounds live together in harmony and the Chinese make positive contributions to the economic, social and cultural development of the region. He hoped the Chinese community will continue to enrich local multiculturalism through various forms.
President John Huang said that the the Australia-China Cultural Promotion Association aims to promote the intermingling of Eastern and Western cultures. This year was the first time that a Chinese song contest was held to celebrate such a special anniversary as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. Many outstanding singers and beautiful songs emerged from the competition, letting us know that there are so many local people who love Chinese culture and are quietly spreading it. It is hoped to take this event to motivate and inspire more people to love and learn Chinese, so that the Chinese language can be passed on in Australia and promote China-Australian friendship.
The competition was jointly organised by the Australia-China Cultural Promotion Association, the China-Australia Young Professionals Initiative and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of South Australia. At the award ceremony, award winners from different primary and secondary schools sang songs such as "In That Faraway Place ", "Jasmine Flower", "Chengdu", "Sing Songs and Learn Chinese with Ah Bao", "Farewell" and "Thoughts on a Quiet Night", which drew applause and touched the audience with their sincere songs, and the response was very enthusiastic.
