People’s Republic of China and Me

I am one of the many Australian friends of the People’s Republic of China， not only because I am the third generation descendant of Chinese settlers in Australia， but also because I see China as an ideal cooperative partner for Australia in the long term economic future. It is therefore my honour to congratulate China on the 60th anniversary since its founding on October 1st， 1949 declared by Chairman Mao Zedong at Beijing Tiananmen Square.

On this historic occasion 60 years ago， the heroic Chinese people， throughrevolutionary struggles， was finally liberated from external semi-colonial and internal bureaucratic capitalist domination and became masters of their sovereign state. Then， as a student， my heart was so moved with joy and I still remember I took part in dancing in the streets of my birth-place—colonial Hong Kong to celebrate the birth of a New China. This was the first historic date in my life marking the start of my passion of friendship and love for the People’s Republic of China.

After I returned from colonial Hong Kong to Australia with my parents in 1950 at the age of 17， I joined a group of friends of the New China in Brisbane to establish a local Australia China Society in 1952， and this was just after the Peking Peace Conference on the Korean War， and the start of my participation in the friendship-with-China movement in Australia and this was scarcely interrupted until now.

Another unforgettable event in relation to China occurred on July 1st 1997 when my birth place， former colonial Hong Kong， was no longer colonial and was returned to China’s sovereignty under the new name of “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”， i.e. Hong Kong SAR China. My wife Judy and I were very fortunate to have the opportunity of witnessing the official transfer of Hong Kong Administration Ceremony， accompanied Mr Guy Brehon and his wife Dr Lian， both members of Australia China Friendship Society Qld Branch.

In 1999， the year of the golden jubilee of the People’s Republic of China， Australian Prime Minister John Howard hosted the then President Jiang Zemin’s official visit to Australia in September with a state banquet at the Australian National Parliament House which I had the honour to be invited to attend.

Following this historic event in Australia China relationship， friends of China and local Chinese community in Queensland held a combined“ China Golden Jubilee Banquet” which was attended by many Australian political and local Chinese community leaders. It was a festive celebration in my home state Queensland while the fifty six nationalities of People’s China celebrated with greater fanfares in the national capital’s Tiananmen Square， staging a massive colourful parade marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Looking back over the last ten years since China’s golden jubilee， I sincerely wish to express my personal reflections on China’s economic achievements， inspiring events and domestic and foreign policy which explains why I am proud to be a friend of the People’s Republic of China and why I am inspired when other fellow Australians join our Australia China Friendship Society， whichever state or territory they are in.

It is well known around the world that China’s annual economic growth has been close to double digits as a result of China’s open-door and economic reform policies. China has become Australia’s third trading partner during the nineties and naturally， this is beneficial to the Australian people.

In recent times， there have been two truly inspiring events in China.

The first was of course the Beijing Olympics 2008 with its opening ceremony showing China is not only a nation of rich and long culture， but also a nation promoting world peace， harmony and friendship for the whole world. That is to say， China will not try to create an enemy among other countries in the world for herself， but will resolutely defend herself against any country who wants China to be its enemy.

The second was the successful return of the first Chinese astronaut space flight. This reflected China’s rapid advance in space technology. Today in the 21st century， China is in a strong economic position to launch such a huge project. What is most pleasing to know is that the Chinese Government has stated in a State Council publication that China’s space technology is for peaceful and cooperative use of outer space in accordance with a United Nations Declaration adopted by the 51st General Assembly (1996)， with special consideration of China being a developing country.

It is my strong belief that China with its growing economy will require a peaceful and harmonious domestic environment to further develop the under-developed western regions. I am sure that the Chinese people under the leadership of its Central People’s Government will achieve that “Develop the West” goal.

China has a unique minority nationality policy which respects the culture and custom of any minority group.The majority Han people have always been encouraged， as I have been， to learn for example Uyghur， Tibetan， Mongolian etc. songs and dances.

China has chosen in its own right the system of national government led by the Communist Party of China and based on the concept of democratic centralism with the system of consultative conferences with the Chinese people from national level through regional or provincial， metropolitan， down to even lower level. I believe that if China does not interfere with the domestic political affairs of other countries in the world， then China should expect that her political internal affairs be duly respected.

Countries who accused China of lack “human rights” should look at their own internal affairs since China will definitely not interfere with theirs. In my opinion， in defense of majority’s interest and/or national interests China should have the rights to over-rule the rights of the individuals or minority.

Our friends in China are extremely courteous and hospitable! This was very conspicuous during the visit of friendship delegations to China attending the Second Friendship Forum in November 2008.

This year in July and August， members of the Australia China Friendship Society are already busy working with the local Chinese community， supported by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane， to organize celebration activities in honour of the 60thanniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 150th Anniversary of Brisbane / Queensland.

Typically in Brisbane， these festive activities include a public performance by artists from both China and Brisbane. I am proud to be one of the singers of the Mass Choir to say “Happy 60th Birthday” to the People’s Republic of China on the evening of September 19th， 2009.

Similar activities are being organized throughout Australian capital cities for this historic occasion.

All friends of China and people with goodwill extend a warm congratulation to the Chinese Government and citizens of China on this 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China wishing you many happy returns.

The author is national president of the Australia China Friendship Society.