I am delighted to attend the establishment ceremony of the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Australia. Please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, to express our heartfelt congratulations on the establishment of the new Chamber of Commerce!

Friends,

With the joint efforts of both China and Australia, the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries has continued to develop steadily, and economic and trade cooperation has always been a highlight of the cooperation between the two sides. China has maintained its position as Australia's largest trading partner for many years. In 2013, the bilateral trade volume of goods between China and Australia reached a record high of 136 billion US dollars. Bilateral investment has also made significant progress, and Australia has become one of the important destinations for China's outbound investment. At the same time, with the development of bilateral business cooperation, the proportion of service trade in bilateral trade is increasing day by day and has become a new growth point in China Australia economic and trade cooperation. At present, China is not only Australia's largest export market and import source for goods, but also its largest service trade export destination, largest source country for international students, and fastest-growing overseas tourist market.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Guangdong Province and New South Wales becoming sister provinces and states. New South Wales is known as the first state in Australia, and Guangdong Province is one of the most economically developed provinces in China. Its capital, Guangzhou, is a historic and cultural city in China and a long-standing foreign trade port. Today, it is also the economic, trade, financial, cultural, and educational center of southern China. The China Import and Export Fair held twice a year in Guangzhou is China's largest foreign trade window. Not long ago, Mr. Baird, the Governor of New South Wales, visited Guangzhou. A few days ago, Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan led a Guangdong economic, trade and cultural delegation to visit New South Wales, which will further promote closer economic, trade and personnel exchanges between New South Wales and Guangdong Province, as well as between China and Australia.

Overseas Chinese occupy an increasingly important proportion among Australian residents, with the largest number of immigrants coming from Guangdong and Hong Kong, and have established various Guangdong based chambers of commerce and hometown associations in Australia. This also indicates that Guangdong people have good business acumen and a spirit of cooperation. Today we are even more delighted to see the establishment of the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Australia, as the representative of the Guangdong Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Australia. I believe that under the leadership of Mr. Wang Guozhong and Mr. Huang Xiangmo, and with the strong support of CCPIT, the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong will certainly build a more open and fast bridge between China and Australia, especially between Xinzhou and Guangdong Province, play a more active role in promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as exchanges and cooperation in a broader field, and benefit the people of the two countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are experiencing a beautiful historical period, where China and Australia, as close partners, are working together for common development. Therefore, I suggest that everyone make full use of this great opportunity. I wish the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Australia a smooth sailing, prosperous business, and successful events!

Thank you everyone!