On August 15, 2024, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, the Chinese Consulate General in Perth held a reception to celebrate the presentation of the 2023 China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award to Professor Barry J. Marshall, a Nobel Laureate and clinical microbiologist at the University of Western Australia. Ambassador Xiao Qian sent a congratulatory letter to Professor Marshall.

    Ambassador Xiao Qian expressed gratitude to Professor Marshall for his outstanding contributions in promoting scientific research exchange and cooperation between China and Australia, training high-level talents, and improving public health. He noted that this was a vivid embodiment of the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity in China-Australia science and technology cooperation.

    The Ambassador pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of state visit of President Xi Jinping to Australia and the establishment of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Premier Li Qiang's recent successful visit to Australia has also opened up new opportunities. Looking ahead, the science and technology communities of the two countries should seize this historic opportunity, adhere to the principles of pragmatism, openness, and mutual benefit, make good use of existing mechanisms and platforms for China-Australia science and technology exchange and cooperation, explore new areas of cooperation, and seek new modes of cooperation, so that more cooperative achievements can benefit the people of the two countries, as well as the region and the world.

    Professor Marshall expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for the honor bestowed upon him and his privilege of being received by President Xi Jinping. He pledged to continue his efforts to promote China-Australia science and technology cooperation and cultural exchange. The professor wrote the four characters "China-Australia Friendship" on the spot, which was applauded by the audience of over 100 people, including the representative of the Western Australian State Government, the Minister for Science, and representatives from universities and research institutes in Western Australia.

    Minister Counsellor Wang Ling from the Chinese Embassy in Australia attended the reception and read out Ambassador Xiao Qian's congratulatory letter.