Chinese Ambassador to Australia Chen Yuming holds farewell reception in Canberra

SYDNEY, August 12 (People's Daily Online) On August 12, 2013, Chinese Ambassador to Australia Chen Yuming held farewell reception in Canberra. Australian Federal MP Dr Andrew Leigh, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop, former speaker of the house of representatives Peter Slipper, Chief of the Australian Defense Force General David Hurley, National Senior Vice President of Australia China Business Council Duncan Calder, as well as representatives from Australian government, Chinese enterprises, Chinese communities, and media attended the reception.

Ambassador Chen Yuming said in his speech that the interests of China and Australia have never been so intertwined. The destinies of the two countries have never been so closely connected. “We have reached a new historic height”, he said. As the best tribute to the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties, this year, the two countries established strategic partnership and leaders’ annual meeting mechanism, setting off to build a new type of country-to-country relations. I remember Australian Ambassador to China Ms Frances Adamson said that as ambassador and witness of that historic moment, she felt more proud than ever. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, China-Australia relations can and will continue to be a frontrunner among the ties between China and the West.

He said, “We have reached a new depth”. In the past three years, bilateral trade grew by 57%, 1300 times that of 40 years ago. One day’s trade volume is equivalent to that of the first three years of our diplomatic ties. Half of China’s iron ore import comes from Australia. Many buildings and infrastructure across China are built with Australian iron. On the other hand, many plazas in Australia are paved with marble from China. People of the two countries are shopping in each other’s country using their own currency. Many commodities in Australian supermarkets and malls are made in China, and Australian wines and cheese are put on the dinner tables of the Chinese people.

He continued, "in the past three years, mutual visits by two peoples have doubled, reaching 1.37 million trips in all. Every year, 160,000 Chinese students and 620,000 tourists create 3.3 billion and 4.2 billion dollars for Australia respectively. What’s more, the two countries held Culture years successfully for the first time. Bilateral scientific and technological cooperation has made significant progress. Mutual visits by military personnel and fleets have become the norm. Friendship and cooperation have been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples."

“As I say goodbye to you, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all the government departments of Australia for your support and help to myself and the Chinese Embassy as a whole.” Ambassador Chen Yuming said in his speech, “I also want to thank the Australian parliament, different political parties, social sectors and diplomatic corps for your support”. He said, “My three years in Canberra are three years of devotion to the national interests of China and China-Australia friendly and cooperative relations. It has become a most valuable asset for my diplomatic career and I will always cherish the memory.”

Australian Federal MP Dr Andrew Leigh, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop, National Senior Vice President of Australia China Business Council Duncan Calder, have also delivered their speeches at the farewell reception.

Chen Yumin has rich diplomatic experiences. He started his career in Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975, and was previously the ambassador of Republic of Lithuania and Deputy Director of Department of Foreign Affairs Management in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He became the Ambassador to Australia on 12th October 2010.