Peking University, Oct. 10, 2012: Australia-China Futures Dialogues are held by Peking University (PKU) in cooperation with Griffith University and are supported by the Queensland Government. The 2012 series of activities took place at PKU. On September 24, Her Excellency Ms. Frances Adamson, as 2012 Annual Leader’s Lecture’s speaker, came to PKU and made a speech of “Australia-China Relationship at Forty: Building a Pathway for the Future” at the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center, which also declared the beginning of this year’s Second Track Dialogue.
Before the lecture, Professor Zhou Qifeng, PKU President, made a welcome speech to the Ambassador and other guests on behalf of the University. He highlighted the cooperation of higher educational institutions between both countries and forecasted the splendid future of closer collaboration between the two important countries in the Asian-Pacific region.
H.E. Ms. Frances Adamson shared her insight into the evolving relationship between Australia and China since diplomatic relations began forty years ago. She said that it had been 40 years since Australia and China established diplomatic relations in 1972 and that it was an event that deserved celebrating. Since that day, 21 December, 1972, interactions between the people of China and Australia had blossomed in all facets of human endeavor.
"Trade has grown dramatically, of course. But most important, an unprecedented number of Australians and Chinese are visiting each others’ countries for business, to study and for adventure. These people-to-people links have fostered increased understanding of our respective cultures grown from unique histories and geography," she said.
The great changes of both countries were also emphasized in her lecture. “Australia and China have both changed a great deal in the 40 years since diplomatic relations were established in 1972. On first glance, the changes in China, economically, socially, and politically, are more dramatic. But Australia is also a very different place compared to 1972. Both countries’ economies have enjoyed comprehensive reform in the last few decades and seen real benefits to their societies. And both countries are looking to the future. It’s a future in which economic challenges abound. Australia needs to plan for a smart economy beyond the resources boom. China is turning from its export- and investment-led model to an economy driven by domestic demand and a bigger services sector to underpin its continuing development. There’s plenty of scope for mutual benefit beyond the resources trade. By 2020 China’s middle class will number 670 million — a huge group of newly prosperous people keen to travel and study overseas. This is a great opportunity for Australia, but also for the people of both countries to build closer relationships and a better understanding of each other’s place in the world. After all, it’s not all about economics and trade. Cultural and people-to-people links will continue to be the foundation of the Australia-China relationship.”
Professor Ian O’Connor, Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University, also attended the lecture and addressed that Griffith laid great emphasis on Asian studies and had long realized the importance of Asia to Australia.
Edited by: Arthars
Source: Office of International Relations
