On the evening of October 14, a warm welcome from the Chinese community in New South Wales greeted the visiting delegation from the Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association. The gathering, filled with camaraderie and warmth, showcased the strong ties between these communities.
The event, organized spontaneously by multiple parties, attracted over 60 prominent Chinese leaders from Australia. Among those present were Wu Changmao, President of the Australian Chinese Association; Wang Guozhong, President of the Australian Guangdong Chamber of Commerce; Su Xinfeng, Chairman of the Australia-China Business Council; Peng Xiaoshi, President of the Australian Hong Kong Association; Zeng Zhaoxin, Chairman of the Australian Shenzhen Community Association; and Yang Zhiwei, President of the Australian International Cultural Industry Association.
Wu Changmao opened the event with a heartfelt welcome, representing 175 Chinese communities and more than 100,000 members. He expressed his enthusiasm for the visit from the Guangdong delegation, emphasizing the vital role that Australian Chinese organizations play as a bridge between China and Australia in fostering goodwill and cooperation. Wu expressed hopes that this visit would create new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
Wang Guozhong praised the contributions of Guangdong immigrants to Australia over the past 200 years. He highlighted that early Guangdong immigrants laid a solid foundation for current and future generations, who are now continuing this legacy and maintaining close ties with their homeland while excelling in Australian society.
Su Xinfeng underscored the significant contributions of Guangdong-born Australians to society and their crucial role in enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. He pointed out that the Guangdong community serves as a vital link in promoting exchanges across various fields and fostering understanding and friendship between the people of both countries.
Peng Xiaoshi and Zeng Zhaoxin noted that over 60 million overseas Chinese live around the world, with half of them hailing from Guangdong. They reflected on how over 200 years ago, Guangdong immigrants arrived in Australia with a pioneering spirit of unity and friendship, laying the groundwork for the prosperity of today’s Chinese communities. They affirmed that Guangdong nationals continue to be central to cultural and economic exchanges between China and Australia.
Members of the Guangdong delegation expressed their appreciation for the contributions of Australian Chinese in promoting friendly relations and indicated that their visit aims to further stimulate economic cooperation and expand exchanges in several fields, thereby fostering friendships between the two peoples.
The event also featured a captivating performance by Luo Faxiang, President of the Shunde Association in Australia, who showcased Wing Chun martial arts. This display not only highlighted the charm of traditional Chinese martial arts but also resonated with attendees, earning enthusiastic applause.
Yang Zhiwei, in an interview, remarked that this gathering provided the Guangdong delegation with a valuable opportunity to understand the lives of Australian Chinese and served as a precious platform for local members to interact with their counterparts in the homeland.