Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,  

In a few days, we will usher in the Spring Festival, the most important traditional festival for the Chinese people. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, I would like to extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to friends from all walks of life in New South Wales and to the Chinese community, staff of Chinese enterprises and institutions and Chinese students in New South Wales.  

The year 2021 was a truly extraordinary year in the history of new China.  

In 2021, we held grand celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. We have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and embarked on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country.  China has opened wider to the outside world and actively advocated multilateralism and international cooperation, with a view to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.  

In 2021, the friendly and cooperative relations between China and NSW developed steadily. China’s Guangdong Province and NSW successfully held the 28th Joint Economic Meeting. Guangzhou and Sydney celebrated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their sister city relationship.  In April last year, Her Excellency the Honorable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, and I planted a ginkgo tree at the Government House, a symbol of the traditional friendship between Guangdong Province and NSW. This tree is growing vigorously, which indicates that China-Australia relations still enjoy strong popular support.  

In 2021, The Chinese community, staff from Chinese enterprises and institutions and Chinese students in NSW have worked together to overcome difficulties and actively respond to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. You have made great efforts to spread traditional Chinese culture, support the development of China, and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my high respect and heartfelt thanks to you all.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,  

The year 2022 is a crucial year for the Chinese people to march toward the second centenary goal.  The Communist Party of China will hold its landmark 20th National Congress, a major event for the party and the country.  Beijing will present to the world a "streamlined, safe and splendid" Winter Olympics.  China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, promote common development, and work with other countries to build a better home in our planet.  

The year 2022 also marks the 50th anniversary of China-Australia diplomatic relations. The achievements in China-Australia relations today have not come easily and should be cherished by both sides. The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney is ready to work with our NSW friends to push for more fruitful exchanges and cooperation between China and NSW in varies areas, thus injecting more positive energy into the development of China-Australia relations.  

In 2022, the global pandemic situation remains grim.  I hope all the friends in the Chinese community will continue to make persistent efforts, and take practical and effective measures to protect the health of yourselves and your families.  The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney will stick to the principle of serving the people through diplomacy, continue to provide considerate and convenient consular services, and make every effort to protect your health, safety and legitimate rights and interests.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,  

In traditional Chinese culture, "Tiger" is a symbol of energy and vitality, meaning progress and confidence.  As the Chinese Lunar Year of the Tiger approaches, I wish all our friends in NSW, the Chinese community, staff from Chinese enterprises and institutions and Chinese students in NSW a happy New Year, and wish you peace, health,  happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Tiger.  

Thank you!