On 28 October, Acting Consul-General Wang Hongsun  attended, at the invitation of the South Australia bilingual (Chinese-English) government school-Plympton International College-and Jinan No. 3 High School of Shandong Province, the friendship tree planting ceremony and delivered a speech. Lucy Hood MP, South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills; Ms Amy Whyte, Principal of Plympton International College, also attended and delivered addresses. Relevant officials, teacher and student representatives from both institutions were also present. A Chinese language teacher from Plymption International College served as the English-language host, while a student from the College served as the Chinese-language host.

In his address, Acting Consul-General Wang looked back on key moments in the establishment of the sister-school relationship between the two institutions. He noted that teachers and students from Jinan No. 3 High School of Shandong Province made a special trip to Adelaide to join their counterparts from Plympton International College in planting mandarin trees, which symbolises good fortune and thereby expressing both side’s sincere hope for frequent exchanges and enduring friendships. Just as trees have roots, friendships have their origins. Shandong Province and SA are jointing celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of their sister-state relationship. Next year will mark the 55th anniversary  of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. The vitality of China-Australia friendship lies at the local level, and its future rests with young people. It is hoped that, through a series of successful reciprocal visits and in-depth exchanges, young people from local communities in both countries will forge long-term, stable and close ties; cultivate an open-minded attitude that respects differences whilst striving for common ground; broaden their horizons to embrace the future and transcend cultural boundaries; and grow into a generation of young people capable of shouldering the responsibility of developing bilateral relations, so that the friendship between China and Australia may take deep root and flourish, passing from generation to generation.

In her address, Minister Hood fondly recalled her recent visit to China, particularly her visit to Jinan No. 3 High School, stating that educational and cultural exchanges serve as an important bridge for deepening the friendly relations between SA and Shandong Province. It is hoped that the two institutions would continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual visits, leaving behind lasting and valuable outcomes of cooperation for future generations. Principal Whyte warmly welcomed the visiting Chinese teachers and students in her address.

Soon after, Acting Consul-General Wang, Minister Hood, Principal Whyte and student representatives from both institutions took turns shoveling soil to jointly plant friendship trees symbolizing the close ties between the two institutions.