ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 26 -- A reception was held Thursday night in Adelaide, Australia by the Chinese Consulate General to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Delivering a speech at the reception, Chinese Consul General in Adelaide He Lanjing said the past 70 years have witnessed a remarkable enhancement of China's economic power and overall national strength.

"70 years ago, China was an agrarian country, poor and lagging behind. But today, China is the world's second largest economy," said He.

"China feeds about 20 percent of the world population with only 9 percent of the planet's arable land and 6.4 percent of freshwater resources."

"850 million people have been lifted out of poverty, contributing to more than 70 percent of the world's in the same period of time."

Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia. He said the cooperation between China and South Australia is an important part of China-Australia relations.

China has remained the largest trading partner, largest export destination, largest source of imports and the top market for international students for South Australia for years.

In 2017-2018 fiscal year, the economic cooperation and trade between China and South Australia have kept growing

"We also boast a 33 years of sister-state relationship between Shandong Province and South Australia. The prospects we hold for future cooperation are truly encouraging," said He.

Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia (SA), attended the reception and praised the development achievement of China.

"Looking at what has been accomplished in the past seventy years, the signs of strength for China's long-term prospects are very evident. South Australia is committed to be on that journey with China," said Marshall.

The SA's Premier also expressed enthusiasm for the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), which will be held in Shanghai between Nov. 5 and 10.

"I also like to highlight the South Australian companies will be in China later this year, the second time that we have been at that Expo in Shanghai."

"I'm pleased to say that our government to government links are strong. For more than three decades, South Australia has a valued sister state relationship with Shandong province."