On the evening of October 14, the Chinese Embassy in Australia hosted a reception for the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) Canberra Networking Day 2026. Ambassador Liu Jinsong and his wife attended the event, which brought together over 170 ACBC members and representatives from the Chinese and Australian business communities in a warm and convivial atmosphere.

Opening his remarks with a ship model, Ambassador Liu illustrated that economic and trade cooperation serves as the ballast stone that keeps China-Australia relations steady and on course. He emphasized that at this time of opportunity and once-in-a-century transformations, the great ship of China-Australia relations must brave the wind and waves, and the ballast must be made more solid and ever more stable. He hoped the ACBC would continue to serve as quarrymen and quarry, further inject positive energy into China-Australia relations, so that the relationship can withstand various risks and challenges and sail towards a brighter future.

ACBC National President & Chair Rhys Roberts used Australian football as a metaphor in his speech, calling on businesses from both countries to deepen engagement, enhance mutual understanding, and grasp opportunities for cooperation in key areas such as clean energy and critical minerals, agriculture and premium food, healthcare and life sciences, professional and financial services.

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The Australia China Business Council (ACBC), established in 1973, is one of Australia's leading and most influential organisations dedicated to promoting bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between Australia and China with branches across every Australian state and territory. Its diverse membership spans key sectors including banking and finance, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, tourism and professional services, representing major corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, universities and financial institutions.