As China and Australia celebrate the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership this year, both nations are exploring new opportunities for deeper economic connections.
In 2023, bilateral trade in goods saw a 4.1 percent increase from the previous year, cementing China's position as Australia's largest trading partner for the 15th consecutive year.
A significant event this year was the Australia-China Business Forum held in Sydney on Monday.
A Chinese trade delegation of 35 companies and over 90 members, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, engaged with approximately 100 Australian companies at the event.
Numerous cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed during the gathering.
David Olsson, National President of the Australia China Business Council, expressed optimism about China's economy and the economic relationship between the two nations.
"China is a driver of the global economy, it's a driver of the Asian economies, and that's not going to change in my lifetime. Well, this year's development is looking positive, the early figures are very positive. I'm very excited about the future of the economic relationship between Australia and China," said Olsson.
"I think the growth in the China economy is very inspiring. I think it's very, very impressive and is still driving economic growth for countries like Australia, but actually many other countries in the world. I think what you see is more collaboration and more trade to go forward," remarked Christine Holgate, chief executive of Team Global Express, a logistics solutions provider.
In 2023, 635 Australian companies invested in factories in China, marking a 40.2 percent increase from the previous year, while bilateral trade reached 229.2 billion U.S. dollars. Australian investments in China grew by 11.7 percent and the growing bilateral trade has supported approximately 570,000 jobs in Australia.
Meanwhile, more and more high-quality Australian agricultural products have made their ways into Chinese households, offering more choices to Chinese consumers.
"As Sino-Australian relations get back on track, the business community should actively play a stabilizing role. Chinese and Australian companies should not only continue cooperation in energy, minerals, and infrastructure but also strengthen collaboration, especially in new energy, digital technology, and international trade," said Sun Xiao, Secretary-General of China Chamber of International Commerce.
Australia, China strengthen trade ties as two celebrate 10th partnership anniversary
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
