On December 4, 2023, China Chamber of Commerce in Australia (CCCA) held 2023 National Members Conference Dinner in Canberra. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian, consuls general and heads of commercial agencies in Australia, representatives of Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, MP David Smith, Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism Kevin Hogan, Australian climate change, energy environment and Chris Bowen, Minister Representative of the Ministry of Water Resources, Ms. Kirsty Gowans, Director of the Department of Electricity, Ms. Georgina Prasad, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department of the Australian Treasury Department, Presidents of CCCA state branches, CCCA executive directors, directors, relevant authorized representatives, and member representatives, representatives from sponsors and local business associations, etc. which are more than 160 people attended the dinner. The dinner was hosted by Chen Min, CCCA Secretary-General.
Ms. Ren Li, President of CCCA, delivered a welcome speech. She said that the Annual General Meeting of CCCA comes at a time when the relationship between the two countries is at a new starting point. The leaders of the two countries successfully met in November this year, reaffirming their support for the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and reaffirming the importance of stable and constructive bilateral relations. CCCA attaches great importance to the cooperation and trust established between the two countries’ industries and commerce, remains optimistic about the prospects of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and will continue to be committed to leveraging its platform and resource advantages to build a bridge to promote trade and investment between China and Australia. President Ren Li welcomed the guests and members who attended the conference, sincerely thanked all support, and hoped that the conference would become a platform for friendship building.
Xiao Qian, Chinese Ambassador to Australia, delivered a keynote speech at the meeting. Ambassador Xiao said that China-Australia bilateral relations are at a critical moment. Less than a month ago, Prime Minister Albanese successfully visited China. The leaders of the two countries reached broad consensus on further promoting the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. The “Statement on joint outcomes of the China-Australia annual leaders’ meeting” lays a blueprint for the development of China-Australia relations in the next stage. In the first three quarters of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.2% year-on-year, and the fundamentals of China’s long-term economic growth have not changed. The essence of China-Australia economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win results, and China-Australia economic and trade cooperation has made great achievements. Trade between the two countries has increased 3,000 times in the past fifty years. China is Australia’s largest export destination and largest source of imports, and has been Australia’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. While China-Australia pragmatic economic and trade cooperation supports China’s reform and opening up and economic and social development, it has also greatly promoted the prosperity and development of Australia’s mining, agriculture, tourism, education and other fields, creating a large number of jobs and considerable tax revenue for Australia. Make the Australian economy more resilient and dynamic. These achievements cannot be achieved without the outstanding contributions of Chinese-funded enterprises in Australia. China and Australia are both major countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with highly complementary economic structures and huge potential for economic and trade cooperation. We should give full play to the potential of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as climate change and green economy on the basis of consolidating cooperation in traditional areas. China and Australia should work together to provide a good business environment for the investment and operation of enterprises in both countries and create a new broad space for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. The current world economy still faces many unstable and uncertain factors. In this context, China and Australia can work together to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, achieve common development, and contribute to the precious stability of the world. We hope and believe that CCCA and members will seize the opportunity and creatively promote China-Australia economic and trade cooperation to achieve new and greater development in accordance with the clear directions set by the leaders of the two countries. It is hoped and believed that CCCA can continue to gather consensus among members, provide coordination and services, better play its role as a bridge between companies and the government, and make greater contributions to promoting the high-quality development of China-Australia economic and trade cooperation.
Mr. David Smith, an Australian Member of Parliament, said that the recent visit of the Australian Prime Minister to China, accompanied by the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, marked that relations between the two countries are moving in a positive direction. Since the beginning of this year, the Australian Trade Minister has met with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce multiple times, and trade and tourism between China and Australia have shown a positive development trend. Australia is willing to resolve differences through dialogue and is willing to continue dialogue and seize opportunities to promote the economic development of China and Australia. The CCCA platform has made contributions in promoting the development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation relations.
Mr. Kevin Hogan, shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia, said that free trade promotes the economic development of countries around the world, and China’s economic development is an important part of it. China-Australia bilateral trade relations adhere to mutual reciprocity and mutual benefit. The relationship between the two countries has experienced twists and turns. We should seek common ground while reserving differences and actively promote the development of China-Australia trade and investment relations.
Ms. Kirsty Gowans, Head of Electricity Division at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, gave a speech focusing on Australia’s progress in energy transition. Ms. Georgina Prasad, Assistant Secretary Frameworks Branch, Foreign Investment Division, gave a speech on the important role of foreign investment, including Chinese investment, in Australia’s economic development.
Representative Shi Weiwei, general manager of Beijing Energy International Australia, made a speech on the current development status and future prospects of the company in Australia.
The dinner was held in a harmonious and warm atmosphere. All members and guests present took advantage this event to enthusiastically communicate on the development trend of China-Australia relations, further leverage CCCA platform, promote the business expansion in Australia, and promote the development of China-Australia economic and trade investment cooperation. . Everyone is full of confidence and looks forward positively to the future.
