From1-5 December, Amb. Qi Zhenhong, President of CIIS headed a delegation of experts to visit Australia and had extensive and in-depth exchanges with Australian officials, businessmen and think tank scholars on Sino-Australian relations, the development of "Belt and Road" cooperation and other international issues. Members of the delegation are Mr. Liu Qing, Director of Department for Asia-Pacific Security and Cooperation Studies, Mr. Liu Feitao, Associate Research Fellow of the Department for American Studies and Ms. Ma Aijie, Attache from Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegation visited the Parliament of Victoria, the Asialink of the University of Melbourne, Australian Institute of International Affairs WA Branch, VIC Branch, Australia-China Belt & Road Initiative, Perth USAsia Centre of the University of Western Australia, Future Directions International and Australia China Business Council . They also gave interviews to many English and Chinese media and held discussions with representatives of Chinese enterprises.
On December 4, President Qi attended the luncheon hosted by Australia China Business Council themed "Belt and Road": Opportunities for Western Australia" in Perth. More than 160 representatives from political, business and academic circles attended this event, with ABC videotaping the whole process. President Qi delivered a keynote speech on "Seizing Opportunities to advance Sino-Australian Relations". He emphasized on China's reform and opening up in the new era and new successes brought by "Belt and Road" cooperation. The president also shared his views on the current situation and future of Sino-Australian relations and how to develop it into a healthy and stable one. Other members of the delegation, together with four Australian scholars answered questions from the audience and media.
During this visit, Mr. Long Zhou, Consul General in Melbourne met with the delegation and Ms. Dong Zhihua, Consul General in Perth attended some of the activities.
President Qi exchanges view wi th Hon. Colin Brooks, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Pa rliament of Victoria
The delegation visited Asialink of t he University of Melbourne, Australia-Chin a Belt & Road Initiative,
attended the luncheon hosted by Australia China Business Council
President Qi met with Mr. Adam Handley, President, WA Branch,
The Australia China Business Council
The delegation visited the Perth USAsia Centre of the University of Western Australia
Consul General Long Zhou met with the delegation
President Qi with C onsul General Dong Zhihua and Hon. Colin Barnett, former premier of Western Australia