Ambassador of China to Australia Cheng Jingye Monday emphasized to stick to mutual respect and properly handle the differences between the two countries and regard each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a threat.
“Both sides need to view each other’s development path and social system in a rational way. We need to regard each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a threat, so that mutual trust will be persistently increased, and suspicion or prejudices be reduced”, Ambassador Jingye said while addressing the Reception to Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China in federal capital.
He said China-Australia relationship to some extent is an epitome of the deep integration of China with the world. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, cut-across progress has been made in the bilateral relations.
He mentioned that the trade volume between the two countries has soared from less than 100 million US dollars to over 150 billion US dollars while people-to-people exchanges have started from scratch, with current annual visits in both directions surpassed 2 million.
Quoting Prime Minister Morrison as saying that, ‘China is more than a customer, way more’, Ambassador Jingye said the development of China-Australia relations has significantly enhanced the well-being of both peoples.
Terming China and Australia as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese Ambassador reminded that there is no historical grievance or conflict in fundamental interests between the two countries. Instead, our economies are highly complementary, with many shared interests and huge potential for cooperation.
China stays committed to peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for mankind: Ambassador Jingye
“We both stand for multilateralism and free trade, and support open global economy. The 1.2 million Chinese-Australians serve as an indispensable bridge and bond between the two countries”, he said.
He stressed that there is every reason to maintain the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in good shape but no excuse to have the relations hindered or damaged.
“China always believes that a sound and stable China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of both sides and is conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region”, he remarked.
Urging both sides to view each other’s development path and social system in a rational way, Ambassador Jingye said it’s essential to stick to mutual respect and properly handle the differences.
He called to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, fostering a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for each other’s enterprises while deepening people-to-people links rather than erecting artificial barriers.
He urged to work together to uphold multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, while jointly advancing regional economic integration.
Chinese Ambassador hoped that both countries will pull efforts in the same direction and take positive steps to overcome the difficulties, so as to push forward China-Australia relations along the right track.
Ambassador Jingye in his address highlighted the tremendous achievements of Chian in last 70 years as well.
“It has been 70 years of dedication and commitment and 70 years of miraculous achievements. As a result, the Chinese people have taken a decisive step in the journey towards becoming richer and stronger. We are now closer than ever before in achieving national rejuvenation”, he added.
“Today’s China has entered a new era. At present, the Chinese people are striving to achieve the “Two Centenary Goals” with full confidence. Next year, we will accomplish the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. By the middle of this century, we’ll develop China into a great modern socialist country”, Chinese ambassador said.
Referring China contributions for world peace and development, he said China stays committed to peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for mankind. China will promote a high level of opening up to the outside world, in pursuing mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
“In short, it will continue its efforts in building world peace, contributing to global development, and upholding international order. China’s sustainable development will bring more opportunities to countries around the world”, he concluded.
Reception was well attended by Ambassadors/High commissioners, diplomatic staff, politicians, academics, Chinese community leaders, journalists and and notables from all walk of life.
