On the afternoon of 24 August 2026, His Excellency Mr Liu Jinsong, Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Australia, arrived in Australia on an Air China flight to take up his post. He was welcomed at the airport by His Excellency Mr Wang Yu, Chinese Consul General in Sydney, representatives of the local Chinese community and Chinese enterprises in Australia, as well as Australian officials. Ambassador-Designate Liu shook hands and exchanged greetings with all those present. 

Upon his arrival at the Embassy, Ambassador-Designate Liu delivered written remarks. The full text is as follows:

Upon my arrival to take up the new post as the Chinese Ambassador-Designate to Australia, spring is stirring in the southern hemisphere—bringing with it both the promise of warmer days and the lingering chill of a late cold spell. Deeply grateful for the warm welcome at the airport, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to friends from all walks of life who have cared for and supported the development of China-Australia relations, and to extend my very best wishes to the overseas Chinese community, Chinese students, as well as Chinese institutions and businesses here in Australia. 

Australia is an important country. Serving as the 16th Chinese Ambassador to Australia is comparable to taking over the baton in a relay race—a great honor and an immense responsibility. Before leaving China, I went through hundreds of volumes of annals of China-Australia relations. The yellowed pages and handwritten notes filled me with admiration for the dedication of those who came before us and prompted me to reflect once again on the original aspirations that brought our two countries together in establishing diplomatic relations. 

The Great Wall and Uluru are both iconic landmarks of our two countries. Although separated by oceans and shaped by different national conditions, we share a common pursuit of resilience and self-reliance. More significantly, we also share the aspiration to see China-Australia relations grow steadily, delivering tangible benefits to both our peoples. Looking up at the stars, we can sense the poetic aspirations of our peoples for a happy and fulfilling life—and it is for these shared dreams that we can truly join hands.

Thirty years ago, when I first came to Australia as a junior Chinese diplomat responsible for Asia-Pacific cooperation affairs, I did not feel like a stranger in this land. This was not only because China and Australia are closely connected as part of the Asia-Pacific region, but also because the vastness and grandeur of the landscape I saw here reminded me of my hometown, Xinjiang. 

Thirty years later, I arrive here once again at a time when both our two countries, as well as the wider world, are undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Today, China and Australia share closely intertwined interests and more extensive people-to-people exchanges. At the same time, we are also faced with more shared challenges and greater opportunities for cooperation. I was delighted to see that the Air China flight I took was fully occupied. Our two countries have no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interests. Rather, we are bound by highly complementary economies and mutually enriching cultures. Our prospects for cooperation are bright, while  properly managing our differences and aligning expectations is equally—and truly—of paramount significance. 

With economics as my specialty, I have a keen interest in history, philosophy and literature. I have come to this country with an enthusiasm for exploring its landscapes and connecting with its people. I took the coach from Sydney to Canberra and enjoyed chatting with ordinary Australians along the way, which made the journey all the more enjoyable. Relations between countries ultimately rest on bonds between their peoples. Whether between individuals or between nations, we must bear in mind mutual respect, treating each other as equals, and seeking common ground while reserving differences. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. Learning from the past, both sides should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strive to expand the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation, amplify positive values, and bring greater benefits to the peoples of our two countries. 

President Xi Jinping has devoted tremendous efforts to China-Australia relations and provided strategic guidance for their development. As his representative, I will fulfill my duties with utmost dedication, listen with humility, safeguard China’s national interests, implement the consensuses of the leaders of our two countries, serve Chinese compatriots in Australia, and strive to be both a steadfast guardian and a promoter of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

There is an enlightening Aboriginal Australian saying, We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Time awaits no one, and neither does history. Once our course has been set, we must pull hard on the oars and press forward—without hesitation, without deviation, and without turning back. Looking ahead, I shall strive together with all of you—to make the best use of time, to fulfill the sacred mission, and to live up to the trust bestowed upon me.

Thank you.