China’s Success Makes the World Better Speech by Chinese Consul General in Brisbane Ruan Zongze at the New Year reception

10 February 2026

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Good evening, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!

I begin by acknowledging Her Excellency, the Honorable Dr Jeannett Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD.

I also like to acknowledge the Hon Cameron Dick, deputy leader of the opposition, and Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner.

Mr Michael Ma, president of Queensland Chinese United Council.

I am very pleased to welcome my colleagues from Consular corps.

Spring Festival belongs not only to China, but also to the World.

Thank you all for joining us this evening. Your kind presence makes this celebration so special.

As we bid farewell to the Year of the Snake and welcome the Year of the Horse, the air is filled with joy and festive spirit.

Here, on behalf of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Brisbane, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to all of you.

The year 2025 marked the successful conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. It was an extraordinary year during which China pushed forward with innovation-led and high-quality development despite mounting economic pressure.

Over the past five years, China's economy grew at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent, significantly outpacing the global average. Contributing around 30 percent to global growth, China remains a primary engine and stabilizer of the world economy. Furthermore, China has the best peace record among major powers. China's success makes the world better.

China's GDP surpassed the 140-trillion-yuan threshold for the first time. New quality productive forces continued to evolve and upgrade, driving the transformation from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China."

Digital technologies like AI and 5G flourished, while emerging sectors such as robotics and bio-manufacturing entered a new stage of rapid growth. Green transition is accelerating, as one out of every three kilowatt-hours of electricity generated is green, and one out of every ten cars on the road is powered by new energy.

High-standard opening-up continued to advance. The Hainan Free Trade Port has officially launched island-wide independent customs operation. With a further shortened negative list for foreign investment, China remains a global leader in both attracting foreign investment and outbound investment.

The year 2025 also witnessed new progress in China-Australia relations. In July, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid a successful visit to China, during which the leaders of our two countries reached important consensus on further deepening bilateral relations. In November, Mr Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, visited Australia, injecting fresh impetus into our bilateral ties and subnational cooperation.

Chairman Zhao's first stop in Brisbane was marked by a series of highly successful engagements. Each of these events would not have been possible without the care, support and assistance of friends from all walks of life. I would like to take this opportunity to express my highest respect and most sincere gratitude to you all.

2025 was also a year that saw China-Queensland cooperation deepened and became more substantive. China remains by far Queensland's largest trading partner.

More than 110 Queensland representatives travelled to China to attend the China International Import Expo, marking the largest-ever Queensland business delegation to the CIIE. A Trade and Investment Queensland office was opened in Shenzhen, further strengthening the economic and trade cooperation network. Sister relationships between Chinese and Australian states and cities continued to deepen, bringing new vitality to our exchanges and cooperation.

The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Brisbane successfully co-hosted the China-Queensland Tourism Dialogue with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. Cultural exchange programs such as"Conversation with Dr Consul-General", the "Lotus Chinese Prize" and the Chinese Consulate-General's Open Day have deepened the mutual understanding between our peoples. China's extension of its 30-day visa-free policy through the end of 2026 has also made it easier for Queensland friends to visit China.

The year 2025 was truly unforgettable. I visited Cairns, Tully, Croydon, Mackay，Toowoomba and other places, engaging in extensive dialogues and listening to the shared aspirations for a stronger China-Queensland relationship. Our friendship has a long history and a future full of vast opportunities.

Last year, we solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Along the Brisbane River, we walked side by side in solidarity. At the Thomas Dixon Centre, the stirring notes of the Yellow River Concerto resonated deeply, echoing a universal call of our times to "Remember History, Cherish Peace."

In the same year, we designated the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. In the face of the repeated provocations from the "Taiwan independence" forces and the large-scale arms sales of the United States to Taiwan, it is only natural that we firmly oppose them and take forceful countermeasures. Any attempt at blocking the overriding trend of China's reunification is doomed to fail.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Facing the current turbulent and changing international landscape, China will continue to inject much-needed stability and growth into a turmoil world through the reliability and efficiency of "China's good governance."

China will practice multilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

The year 2026 marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It focuses on the goal of basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. By adhering to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, China has set out a top-level design and strategic plan for its economic and social development over the next five years.

We are ready to work hand in hand with all sectors in Queensland to seize the new opportunities brought by the 15th Five-Year Plan for China-Queensland relations，building a brighter future for China-Queensland friendship.

Taking the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games as an example, both sides should further explore converging interests in trade and investment, energy, education, sports, culture and tourism, environmental protection and ecological conservation. By doing so we can jointly cultivate new growth drivers for cooperation.

May China and Australia enjoy prosperity and our people's happiness!

May China and Queensland enjoy flourishing cooperation and everlasting friendship!

I wish you all a happy new year and every success in the Year of the Horse!

Thank you very much.