Liu said, China-Australia relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries, and have once experienced some twists and turns. Over the past year, the two meetings between General Secretary Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have charted the course for the development of China-Australia relations. Both sides should stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, and follow the right approach of treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while reserving differences and mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should enhance mutual trust, stick to the positioning of China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and set the course for China-Australia relations. We should strengthen cooperation, give full play to the potential of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and strive to achieve common development. We should transcend differences in political systems, history, culture and national conditions, expand consensus, properly handle differences, and promote steady and long-term development of China-Australia relations. We need to deepen exchanges and strengthen communication between our governments, political parties, think tanks, youth and sub-national levels in various fields to inject a continuous positive energy into the ongoing improvement of China-Australia relations.

Liu said, in the face of complex and severe global challenges, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Together with the Belt and Road Initiative, the three global initiatives constitute the "three pillars and one platform" for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. As a beneficiary and defender of the existing international order, China has no intention to build a so-called China-centered international order. China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries is development cooperation in an open and aboveboard manner, without attaching any political conditions, interfering in the internal affairs of these countries, or seeking any exclusive rights. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Australian side to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and jointly address various global challenges, including climate change.

Liu said, the current instability, uncertainty and unpredictable factors in the world economy are increasing, and all countries are encountering many difficulties in their development. China is committed to a new development concept and a new development pattern, and has made positive progress in high-quality development. We have full confidence in meeting this year's economic growth target. The fundamentals of China's long-term sound economic growth have not changed and will not change. China is comprehensively advancing the building of a stronger nation and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization. A Chinese path to modernization is an important part of world modernization. China will open up to the outside world at a high level, share development opportunities and rights with Australia and other countries, and continue to provide new impetus for world economic recovery and global development and prosperity.

In the interactive session, Liu also answered questions from the audience online and offline on whether Australia-China relations have been "stabilized", how to ensure the long-term and stable development of Australia-China relations, two-way investment, bilateral military and defense cooperation, media cooperation, coordination in the South Pacific region, and the South China Sea issue.

Iain Watt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International) of the University of Technology Sydney, Warwick Smith, Member of the Advisory Board of the Australia-China Relations Institute, and James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, delivered speeches and hosted the question-and-answer session at different segments. The Australian side spoke highly of the speech, believing that the speech conveyed China's positive message on the development of Australia-China relations, and this kind of communication is also conducive to enhancing the understanding of China's position by the Australian people. Australia and China should seize the opportunity of the improvement of bilateral relations, rebuild mutual trust and promote the further development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect.

Established in 2014, the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney is Australia’s only research institute devoted to studying Australia-China relations. Its aim is to promote exchanges between Australia and China through academic research, analysis, and dialogues.

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