The undeniable success of free trade is evident in the exponential growth of global prosperity, driven by open markets, comparative advantage, and the removal of protectionist barriers. Yet, while much of the West retreats into protectionism, Asia is forging ahead, embracing agreements like RCEP and CPTPP, fostering unprecedented economic expansion.

It is a great privilege to declare open the 2024 Australia China International Film Festival. The theme of the Film Festival is “Where Dreams Begin”.

Given the mental health crisis facing Australia, the former Federal Coalition Minister, Andrew Robb, today called on all NSW State Parliamentarians to demand urgent amendments to NSW Health Department regulations.

Despite subsequent significant political differences that unfortunately arose between Australia and China, and the prevailing uncertainty, the 50-year development of people-to-people linkages, especially at a commercial level and at the Australian diaspora level, has seen a strong, respectful and prosperous working relationship being maintained between China and Australia.

As a small, open economy international trade and foreign investment has been critical to providing jobs and prosperity by Australians since European settlement over 200 years ago.

There are endless opportunities in Northern Australia; the trick is to have government truly engaged as a partner in attracting the critical investment dollars.

Australia was the first Western country to break through the metaphorical Great Wall of China in terms of free trade, creating a trading environment no Western G20 economy has ever enjoyed. Yes, in breaking through we have got a little bloodied, but our efforts were not in vain, and they must not be in vain.

At these challenging times, we need to work hard to reverse the souring of our political relationship. The irony is that while at a political level our relationship is facing some difficulties, at a commercial level our relationship has never been better.