（Thursday 5 December, QPAC）

Good evening!

Thank you for your kind invitation. I would like to begin by acknowledging Dilshani Weerasinghe, Queensland Ballet Executive Director, Hon John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education and Arts, Mr ZHANG Songhua, president of the art center of the Shanghai Grand Theatre, distinguished guests and friends.

Congratulations to Shanghai Ballet on your successful premiere of "The Lady of the Camellias" in Brisbane. With superb skills and full emotions, the dancers captured the audience with toe-pointed language. In February this year, I attended the reception of Shanghai Ballet and Queensland Ballet to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city and state relationship between Shanghai and Queensland, and watched a clip of this drama. Today, I am so glad to have the opportunity to watch the whole performance, which is so amazing and very impressive.

The friendly exchanges between Shanghai Ballet and Queensland Ballet showcases the flourishing sister city and state relations of Shanghai and Queensland. The two sides have had frequent and positive interactions since the establishment of this special relationship in 1989. The extensive pragmatic cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, education, health, culture and youth, has achieved gratifying results, forged profound friendship.

The 35-year anniversary of the sister city and state relationship marks a new starting point. Shanghai and Queensland, as two of the most economically vibrant and innovative regions in China and Australia respectively, enjoy a solid foundation and promising prospects of friendly cooperation.

China remains Queensland's largest export market. Recently, over a hundred representatives from more than 30 Queensland enterprises participated the 7th China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Many high-quality products such as beef, seafood, horticultural products, wine and beverages, processed foods and health care products were introduced to Chinese consumers at the CIIE stage, widely welcomed by Chinese consumers. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Queensland's exports to China were valued at over AUD25bn, representing a 15 percent increase from the previous year. More than 140,000 Chinese tourists visited Queensland, marking a year-on-year growth of 272.3 percent.

China’s economy has solid foundation, strong resilience and full vitality. With the strengths of vast market, Chinese modernization and higher-standard opening-up will bring new and broad opportunities for China-Australia and China-Queensland cooperation.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges remain cornerstones and inexhaustible driving forces for the development of bilateral relations. Starting July 1 this year, China has included Australia in its visa-free "circle of friends", and the duration of visa-exemption has extended to 30 days. Both sides have agreed to provide reciprocal access to 3-5-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and visiting family members. We welcome more Australian friends to visit China.

In conclusion, once again, congratulations on the resounding success of the performance of "The Lady of the Camellias"! I’d like to propose a toast for the friendship between China and Queensland.

Thank you!