Many Hands Make Light Work: Let China-Australia Relations Develop Steadily and Deliver Tangible Benefits to Both Peoples
Remarks at the Reception Marking the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
H.E. Liu Jinsong
Ambassador of China to Australia
24 September 2026
Mr Gerard Martin PSM, Official Secretary to the Governor-General,
Mr Justin Hayhurst, Deputy Secretary, PM&C
Mr Michael Growder, Acting Deputy Secretary, DFAT,
Mr Jonathan Muir, Chief of Protocol, DFAT,
Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to join you all in celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which in traditional Chinese culture symbolizes family reunion and perfect harmony. I wish you all a happy festival.
Chinese people attach great importance to the “full moon”. Today marks my first “full moon” — or my first full month — since I took up my post as Chinese Ambassador to Australia. There is a long way to go and much to be done. I still have much to learn, much to listen to, many friends to make, and much to seek your advice on. I also hope for your continued support.
Over the past month, I have met with many Australian dignitaries and officials, and engaged extensively with people from the business, academic and media communities. I have truly felt the care, support and expectations that people from all walks of life have for China-Australia relations.
Just two days ago, I travelled to Sydney to attend the 10th anniversary celebration of Torch@UNSW Sydney. As I said in my address, the torch of China-Australia friendship must be passed on baton by baton, which calls for the faith, courage and perseverance as the Chinese Red Army on the Long March 90 years ago, and the passion embodied in the Jingpo sword dance that has recently enjoyed popularity in China. I recall the lyrics were wonderful: “The wind is heavy over the bamboo house at midnight, and my dreams go to the Gaoligong Mountains.”
China-Australia relations have come a long way and achieved so much. To further uphold, expand and deepen this relationship, our Embassy and Consulates here cannot do it alone. Everyone present today is a supporter, a builder, a beneficiary and someone with a stake in China-Australia relations. Many hands make light work. I hope that everyone will continue to support and contribute to the development of China-Australia friendship.
With many hands make light work, we must remain true to the original aspiration and uphold the right way of conducting relations between our two countries. The two countries should enhance political mutual trust through mutual respect and mutual understanding, grasp the direction of China-Australia relations amid profound changes in the world, and promote a rational, friendly and inclusive view of each other.
With many hands make light work, we must promote mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes through practical cooperation. The two countries should make full use of their strengths of huge trade scale and extensive cooperation fields, advance the upgrading of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and explore cooperation in such emerging areas as artificial intelligence, the green transition, clean energy, green minerals, the digital economy, the marine economy, new infrastructure and the Brisbane Olympics.
With many hands make light work, we must consolidate public support on the basis of the friendship between our peoples. I wish to pay tribute to Jiang Antong, Xi Xiaoyan and their families. They demonstrated the Chinese virtue of helping others in peril, and have been commended by the Australian government and respected by the peoples of both China and Australia. The two countries should tell more stories like Jiang Antong and Xi Xiaoyan, and tell them well, so as to forge a powerful force for closer people-to-people bonds.
With many hands make light work, we must achieve common development through mutual learning and exchanges. A young Australian told me that true exchange is rooted in daily life. Another young person said that sport is the most natural and powerful common language. The two countries should promote exchanges among young people, and sport, tourism, cultural and subnational exchanges, and uphold regular cooperation in education and scientific research.
The train of China-Australia relations is running on the track of recovery and development. The Honourable Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia, just concluded a successful visit to China this week. China has been Australia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, its largest export destination and largest source of imports, while Australia is China’s eighth-largest trading nation. Two-way trade has exceeded AUD 300 billion for three consecutive years since 2023. In the first seven months of this year, two-way trade in goods exceeded AUD 190 billion. Last year, two-way visitor numbers reached 1.73 million, and China remains Australia’s second-largest source of tourists.
Reflecting on the past and looking to the future, as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and Australia have no historical grievances and no fundamental conflicts of interest. We should be partners of mutual trust and mutual success. Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with China, opening the door of China-Australia friendship. In his 1974 election speech, he said Australia had sought to break down ideological constraints which had for so long obstructed meaningful relationships with countries such as China, and the prompt recognition of the People’s Republic of China was indisputably significant.
Looking ahead, China and Australia should revisit the original aspiration, adhere to equality, seek common ground while reserving differences, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sound and positive development of bilateral relations. We should uphold the positioning of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and view and develop bilateral relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective. Only with mutual respect and mutual trust can the two sides speak on the same page and do things together, and only then can China-Australia relations develop steadily and deliver real benefits to both peoples.
In November this year, China will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. China and Australia should seize opportunities, build on past achievements, and advance the building of a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Next year, the Communist Party of China will convene its 21st National Congress. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will also mark its centenary, and next year will also be the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return. China will continue to pursue peaceful development, resolutely safeguard national unity, promote high-quality growth, and expand high-standard opening up. China’s development and progress are a boon to Australia, and more than that, a real opportunity.
As an Australian saying goes, “Keep your eyes on the sun and you will not see the shadows”. The same is true of China-Australia relations. As the new Chinese Ambassador to Australia, I will work alongside all of you and go all out to maintain confidence and momentum, implement the leaders’ consensus, respond actively to the expectations of all sides, promote cooperation, properly handle differences, and advance China-Australia relations steadily forward.
Now, may I propose a toast,
To the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
To the peace and prosperity of China and Australia and the happiness and well-being of our peoples,
To the steady and sustained growth of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
To the enduring friendship between the peoples of China and Australia,
To the health of all our guests today.
Cheers!