Spicy Chengdu, Heartwarming Friendship
Remarks by His Excellency Ambassador Liu Jinsong
At the Welcome Dinner for the Signing of the Melbourne–Chengdu Sister City Relationship
(26 October 2026, Melbourne)
[October 26, 2026, Ambassador Liu Jinsong attended the Signing Ceremony for the Establishment of Sister City Relationship Between Chengdu and Melbourne, as well as the Welcome Dinner, and delivered remarks at Melbourne Town Hall. The text of Ambassador Liu's remarks is as follows:]
Mr Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne,
Mr Chen Yanfu, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
It is a great pleasure to attend the signing ceremony of the Chengdu–Melbourne Sister City relationship and to join you all in witnessing this bond of friendship and win-win cooperation that brings China and Australia closer together. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, I would like to begin by extending warm congratulations on the success of this signing ceremony. I also wish to express my sincere respect and heartfelt gratitude to people from all sectors who have long been committed to promoting China–Australia subnational exchanges, and to all those who care about and support China–Australia relations.
In 2014, during his visit to Australia, President Xi Jinping noted at the first China–Australia Provincial/State Leaders Forum that subnational cooperation takes place at the grassroots level, where cooperation between our two countries is most practical and where its benefits are most directly felt in people’s daily lives. President Xi Jinping has visited Australia five times, with his footprint covering all states and territories. His visits have shown that China–Australia relations must take root in, rely on, and benefit local communities.
Victoria has long been at the forefront of China–Australia subnational cooperation, and the friendly exchanges between Chengdu and Melbourne are a good example of this. Over the years, despite the distance between them, the two cities have worked consistently to deepen their friendship through exchanges and enhance their cooperation through practical work. The Chengdu–Melbourne direct flight is a key route connecting central and western China with southeastern Australia, serving as a smooth channel for people-to-people exchanges. Cochlear’s hearing industry base in Chengdu is a striking example of Australian technological innovation combined with Chinese manufacturing, fully demonstrating how our strengths complement each other and how bilateral cooperation delivers mutual benefit.
Youth are the future of China–Australia relations. Last year, President Xi Jinping put forward the important initiative of inviting 3,000 to 5,000 Australian youth to visit China for exchanges and study over the next three years, which was warmly welcomed by young Australians. Recently, students and teachers from six Australian universities, including the University of Melbourne, took part in the China–Australia Rowing and Dragon Boat Friendship Challenge and jointly wrote to the leaders of both countries, expressing their strong interest in Chinese culture and their sincere hopes for friendly China–Australia exchanges.
Food is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to bring people together. Sichuan cuisine has spread its aromas across Melbourne: hot pot bubbles and simmers, its red oil glistening; mapo tofu is silky and fragrant; spicy chicken is dry-fried, crisp and numbing; and poached fish fillets in chili oil are fresh, numbing and fiery—a true comfort and delight for the taste buds. Premium Australian beef has also made its way onto Sichuan dining tables, offering people a diverse range of choices. Between each savory bite, what people taste is not just food, but the richness of different cultures.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
The sustained driving force behind the city-to-city relationship lies in mutual support and shared success. Chengdu is a highland of scientific and technological innovation in western China and a city that never sleeps for young entrepreneurs, with strong momentum in such industries as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, software and information services, aerospace and the low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, and digital cultural and creative industries. Melbourne, meanwhile, boasts deep foundations in life sciences, cultural and creative arts, and higher education, and of course, the world-renowned Australian Open. We hope that the two sides will work together to build on traditional areas of cooperation and to explore opportunities in emerging tracks.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Next year marks the 55th anniversary of China–Australia diplomatic relations. Standing at a new historical starting point, under the strategic guidance of the important common understandings reached by our two leaders, China is ready to work with Australia to uphold the principle of treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation. We will continue to harness the unique value of sister-city exchanges, expand the pie of common interests, and develop a more mature, stable and fruitful China–Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.
As summer approaches in the Southern Hemisphere, let us join hands in wishing the heartwarming friendship between Chengdu and Melbourne everlasting! May China–Australia relations advance steadily and soundly! May all the guests enjoy good health and every success!
Thank you.
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On October 26, Chen Yanfu, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee, and Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, signed the Agreement on Establishing Sister City Relationship in Melbourne, each representing their respective city. Chengdu and Melbourne forged an economic partnership in 2017 and established a friendly cooperative relationship in 2024. Over the years, the two cities have maintained close cooperation in trade, education, culture, tourism, etc. The signing of the agreement between the two cities marks Melbourne’s first addition of a new sister city in more than 20 years, while making Melbourne Chengdu’s 40th sister city.