Address by Chinese Consul General in Sydney Wang Yu at the Multicultural & Multi-ethnic Gala

Good Morning! It is a great pleasure to gather with you all at the Multicultural and Multi-ethnic Gala. On behalf of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our distinguished guests.

Every year at this time, Sydney is immersed in the enchanting glow of Vivid Sydney. Lights of different colours shine and blend, illuminating the city's brilliant nightscape. In much the same way, civilizations flourish through exchange and mutual learning, together writing a magnificent chapter in human civilization.

Today's gala is a celebration of culture. As many of you may know, classical Chinese poetry is among the most treasured cultural heritages of China. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you three well-known lines of Chinese poetry.

The first line is: "It is Spring only when all the flowers are blooming." It depicts a scene of flowers in full bloom, while reflecting the Chinese cultural value of harmony in diversity and mutual appreciation.

In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution co-proposed by 83 countries including China, designating 10 June each year as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. This reflects the common aspiration of people around the world to promote dialogue among civilizations and advance human progress.

In just three days, we will celebrate the second International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Our gathering today is a concrete action to provide a platform for dialogue and enrich the garden of world civilizations.

The second line is: "Fresh water comes from the source". It reminds us that a pond stays pure and clear only when fresh water continuously flows in-just as civilizations remain vibrant through ongoing exchange and mutual learning. Australia has long pursued  a multicultural policy, bringing together people of diverse races, languages and cultures to forge an inclusive, open and vibrant society. This aligns with the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

History and reality both demonstrate that diversity brings exchange, exchange fosters integration, and integration drives progress. Only by cherishing the diversity of civilizations and promoting people-to-people exchanges can human civilization continue to evolve and make new advances.

The third line is: "Within the four seas, all men are brothers." It originates from the Confucian classic The Analects, written over two thousand years ago, embodying the Chinese cultural values of unity, harmony and coexistence.

Like Australia, China is a unified multi-ethnic country that has always upheld ethnic equality, ethnic unity, and shared development. In March this year, China adopted the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, providing a solid legal foundation for advancing ethnic unity and forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Together with our Constitution and the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, it forms a comprehensive legal framework, marking a new stage in the law-based, standardized and systematic development of China's ethnic affairs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the face of profound global changes unseen in a century, humanity needs more than ever communication over division, dialogue over confrontation, and inclusiveness over prejudice.

The Consulate-General of China in Sydney will continue to  work with friends from all sectors in Australia, to build bridges of cultural exchange and promote dialogue among civilizations. Together, we will make new contributions to mutual understanding and the progress of humanity.