Chinese Community Consultation on Victoria’s New China Strategy Launches
On the morning of August 22nd, Victorian Premier Jacinto Marie Allan personally attended a Chinese community consultation meeting on Victoria’s New China Strategy, hosted by Wyndham City Council in the Point Cook Community Centre conference room in Melbourne’s west. She listened to the views of Chinese communities, businesses, and representatives from the western suburbs on Victoria’s New China Strategy. The Premier will visit China in September to strengthen people-to-people and business ties between the two regions, and his visit primarily sought to hear the Chinese community’s perspectives on this important relationship. The meeting was hosted by Wyndham City Councillor Mathew Hilakari MP, who addressed the Chinese community in attendance on the New China Strategy, which will be visited in China next month.
First, the Premier thanked Wyndham City Council for hosting this Chinese community consultation meeting on Victoria’s New China Strategy, which is part of our ongoing China strategy exchange. She also expressed her gratitude to the Chinese community for taking the time to attend. In her speech, she also mentioned that Melbourne’s west is a growing region, particularly one with a growing Chinese population. In particular, in the western suburb of Point Cook, approximately 14% of the population is of Chinese descent or was born in China. She noted that Melbourne’s west is experiencing rapid development, and the Chinese community is a vital component of this. She said, “We want to ensure your voices and experiences are reflected in our broader China strategy.” Victoria has always had deep economic, cultural, and community ties with China. Last December, we released our Economic Growth Statement, announcing that the Victorian government would develop a new China strategy to guide our engagement with one of our most important partners.
She also noted that Councillor Mathew of Wyndham is passionate about the region. He is committed to promoting education so that every child has access to a high-quality education, and he is focused on developing transportation and infrastructure to allow families to spend more time together.
Today’s forum is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from you all. Through Councillor Mathew, we will continue this dialogue throughout the implementation of the five-year strategy. I very much look forward to traveling to China later this year and would appreciate your suggestions on itinerary arrangements and content. During the consultation process over the past few months, we have collected many views and concerns. These issues are important not only to the Chinese community, but to all Victorians.
In a statement released in May of this year, the Premier stated: “This September, I will lead a trade delegation to China, my first as Premier. We will meet with business, politics, education, and people from all walks of life to further strengthen the friendship between Victoria and the Chinese people. I am proud of this friendship. This visit is an opportunity to start a new chapter, and Victoria will lead this process.
I will develop a new Victorian China strategy and bring it internationally. This strategy will be built around Victoria’s five core strengths: food and fiber; advanced manufacturing and clean energy; medical technology and pharmaceuticals; tourism and creative industries; and, of course, international… International education.
Over the past few years, we’ve heard conservative politicians make unnecessary and divisive remarks that have hurt Chinese-Australian families. In an era of tariffs and global economic uncertainty, I want to seize opportunities to create good, stable jobs and drive strong economic growth for Victoria. As Premier, I will not close the door to economic opportunities. I welcome them with open arms.
During this Chinese community meeting, Mr. Zhao Xia, a Chinese councillor for Wyndham City Council, actively organized Western District Chinese communities, Chinese businesses, and Chinese friends living in the Western District to participate in this consultation with the Premier as part of our strategic engagement with China.
At the meeting, the Premier also listened carefully to the suggestions and opinions of Chinese friends on the Premier’s visit to China next month to implement Victoria’s new China strategy and took photos with each of the Chinese friends in attendance. The meeting lasted an hour.
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