Back to Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Perth, and the senior Beijing official has declared his trip to Australia a success, insisting China stood ready to work with Australia to build a comprehensive strategic partnership that was more “mature, stable, and fruitful”.
Li told more than 250 guests at a banquet at The Westin, hosted by the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the two countries had reached a consensus on outstanding issues and inked multiple cooperation documents, canvassing everything from economy, trade and science, to education and tourism.
Guests greeted with Western Rock Lobster entrées had anticipated Li might also announce an end to the three-year rock lobster trade ban, but no announcement was forthcoming.
Lobster entrées at the Westin Hotel.
“In line with seeking common ground, the China-Australia relationship has been expanded and deepened and the positive momentum of the complete turnaround of Chinese-Australian relations has been consolidated,“Li said, according to a translator.
“During the visit, I have heard from federal, state and local politicians, the opposition, entrepreneurs and the general public, and they have conveyed the same message: efforts should be made to carry forward the China-Australia relationship from generation to generation.”
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The Chinese Premier said the two countries had also agreed to provide multiple entry visas for reciprocal visits to promote business and family visits, including for the 1.4 million Australians of Chinese ancestry – 116,000 of which live in WA, accounting for 4.4 per cent of the population.
Billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes and his son Ryan were among those in attendance at the event, as well as CBH Group boss Ben Macnamara, Perth Lord Mayor and Seven West Media personality Basil Zempilas and several federal and state parliamentarians.
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