On 4 September, the University of Adelaide held a send-off ceremony for the delegation attending the first China–Australia Youth (University Students) Rowing and Dragon Boat Friendship Tournament. Deputy Consul-General Chen Gang, the University of Adelaide’s Vice-Chancellor Tom Steer, Michelle Wilson, Chief Executive of the University of Adelaide’s Center for Sport and Fitness; Andrew Swift, Chief Executive of the South Australian Rowing Association; the head of the University of Adelaide Rowing Club; and all the athletes travailing to China to compete – approximately 30 people in total – were in attendance.

Deputy Consul-General Chen, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate-General, bid farewell to the University of Adelaide delegation as they set off for China, stating that in today’s world, unity and cooperation, peace and stability, and prosperity and development are the shared aspirations of people across the globe. On 1 September 2025, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, expressing China’s willingness to work with all countries to promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and to move forward hand in hand towards a community with a shared future for mankind. There is a Chinese idiom that goes, ‘in the same boat’. The people of China and Australia may have different skin colors, speak different languages, hold different values and lead different lifestyles, but we are all aboard the same great ship, sharing a common destiny. If we can row in unison and pull together, we will surely reach the shores of win-win development hand in hand. The young people of China and Australia represent the future of bilateral relations; the more extensive the exchanges, the deeper the understanding and the greater the opportunities for cooperation. I hope that during this visit, the delegation will forge friendships whilst striving to excel, experience China’s long history, splendid civilization and modern achievements at first hand, and share the China they have seen, heard and felt with more friends. May you set out with anticipation and return with joy, and in the future become the pioneers driving friendly cooperation between China and Australia, and between China and South Australia.