ACRA Appreciation Dinner & Christmas Party Held in Shanghai

Mr. Gong Xueping, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and Mr. Zhou Taitong, vice chairman of Shanghai Municipal Commission of China People’s Political Consultative Conference, welcomed the Australian businessmen to attend the 2010 World Expo.

On the evening of December 15th, 2009 ACRA Appreciation Dinner & Christmas Party organized by the Australia China Relationship Association (ACRA) was held on a cruise ship on Huangpu River, Shanghai, China. This party was attended by Mr. Gong Xueping, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Zhou Taitong, vice chairman of Shanghai Municipal Commission of China People’s Political Consultative Conference and some other Chinese government officials. In the party,people could also see the delegates from the Consulate-general of Australia in Shanghai, the Representative Offices of Queensland and West Australia in Shanghai and the Shanghai branches of some Australian enterprises. There were also other delegates from some Southeast Asian countries’ Consulates-general in Shanghai, as well as the government officials of Shanghai municipal health departments and hospital directors. The total number of guests was about 150.

When delivering his welcome address, Mr. David L. Zhang, president of the ACRA, said: “It is very meaningful to hold this party when we are greeted by the coming new year and the first anniversary of the friendship establishment between Shanghai and New South Wales.” In recent years, Australia and China have achieved positive progress in the cooperation in economy, culture and medical care. The ACRA has held the activities like Aus-China Festival, Australia China Hospital Forum and so on and got the support and confirmation from the two countries’ governments. The ACRA also prepared a lot for the friendship establishment between Shanghai and NSW and finally helped to settle this matter. The members of the ACRA contributed to the friendly relationship between the two countries. In 2007 Mr. Zhou Taitong went to Sydney to preside over the torch relay ceremony for the Shanghai Special Olympics. At the same time he represented Mr. Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, in the talk with the governor of New South Wales about establishing the city bonding. One year later, the two places finally established the friendly ties. Mr. David L. Zhang said that the ACRA will continue to commit itself to improving the cooperation between China and Australia.

Mr. Zhou Taitong gave out the congratulations to the party on behalf of Mr. Gong Xueping. He reviewed the history and achievements of Shanghai’s cooperation with Australia and thought highly of the contribution made by the ACRA to the Sino-Australia communication and cooperation. Mr. Zhou also said that the 2010 World Expo will boost the GDP of Shanghai at a 9% growth rate. If so, Shanghai’s economic volume will exceed Hong Kong. He showed his welcome for the overseas Chinese businessmen and foreign businessmen from Australia to attend the World Expo.

Mr. Michael Weaver, Vice Consul-general of Australia in Shanghai also praised the ACRA’s role in promoting the relationship between Australia and China. He pointed out that China has replaced Japan and the USA as the biggest trade partner for Australia. With the increase of the trade volume between the two countries, their cooperation has been engaged in more and more fields. The two countries share a bright future in their cooperation.

In the party, the members of the ACRA had happy and joyful communications with the guests. Mr. Gong Xueping even sang a song for the guests. The party ended in the astrosphere of happy gathering, communication and cooperation.