On the evening of 29 August 2025, a celebration marking the 53rd anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations and the 13th anniversary of the Australia-China Commerce and Industry Alliance (ACCIA) was held in Sydney. More than 300 guests from the political, business, education and cultural sectors of both countries gathered to witness this historic occasion.

Since its founding in 2012, ACCIA has held to its mission of promoting the spirit of the Chinese nation and advancing Australia-China trade and economic exchange, working to build a bridge for cooperation between Australia and China. Over the past thirteen years, the Alliance has brought together Chinese entrepreneurs and young talent, driven cooperation across trade, technology, education and culture, and become an important platform linking the business communities of both countries, while also witnessing the growth and hard work of countless Chinese entrepreneurs.

The celebration was hosted by ACCIA and drew strong support from political and business circles in both Australia and China. Distinguished guests in attendance included:

• Mr Ren Shuangjie and Ms Li Mengdi, Consuls at the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China, Sydney
• The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Leader of the House
• The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, former Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
• The Hon. Tim James MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Fair Trading, Work Health and Safety and Building
• Mr Edward Kitt, Deputy Consul-General, British Consulate-General, Sydney
• The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane, former Assistant President of the NSW Legislative Council
• Mr Benjamin Cai (Cai Dingjie), Deputy Mayor of Strathfield Council
• Mr Charles Chen (Chen Xiao), Parramatta City Councillor
• Mr Michael Ng (Wu Yuanhua), Parramatta City Councillor
• Representatives of Entrepreneurs and Communities

Their presence reflected not only recognition of ACCIA's achievements over the past thirteen years, but also a shared vision for deepening Australia-China cooperation. At the celebration, ACCIA Chairman Mr Su Xinfeng delivered a speech. He looked back on the Alliance's thirteen years of development, acknowledged the efforts of colleagues across all sectors in advancing Australia-China trade and economic exchange and cultural understanding, and outlined the direction for future development.

Chairman Su's speech resonated deeply with the audience and lifted spirits, earning unanimous praise and warm applause from the guests present.

Guests from both Australia and China then took turns delivering remarks, offering high praise for the achievements of 53 years of Australia-China diplomatic relations and for ACCIA's contributions over the past 13 years.

Consul Ren Shuangjie of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China, Sydney, delivered remarks:

The Hon. Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and Leader of the House, delivered remarks. Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration Tony Burke said: "ACCIA plays an extraordinary bridging role between Australia and China. The Australia-China relationship runs deep and goes back many, many years. I want to thank the Chinese community for the important contributions it has made in education, research, community service and the development of the Australia-China relationship. Within the Chinese community, many Chinese families uphold traditional values of valuing education, abiding by the law, respecting elders and helping one another — values that align closely with the principles of responsibility, fairness and diversity championed by mainstream Australian society, and this is exactly what makes Australia such a successful example of multicultural integration."

The Hon. Philip Ruddock, former Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, delivered remarks:

The Hon. Tim James, NSW Shadow Minister for Fair Trading, Safety and Building, delivered remarks:

ACCIA received a congratulatory letter from Federal Member of Parliament Jerome Laxale MP, in which he congratulated the Alliance on the celebration and recognised ACCIA's role in strengthening economic ties between Australia and China and deepening understanding and friendship between the two countries, and wished the evening every success.

A congratulatory letter was also received from Federal Member of Parliament Sam Lim MP, who said that for more than a decade, ACCIA had played an important role in strengthening ties between Australian and Chinese businesses and promoting trade, investment and cultural exchange, and wished ACCIA continued success and an ongoing positive role in the future.

Congratulatory letters were also received from the Toronto Fuqing Chamber of Commerce in Canada, the Fuqing Fellow-Townsmen Association of New Zealand, the Xi'an Fujian Fuqing Chamber of Commerce, and the Fuqing Building Materials Industry Association, among others.

After the guest remarks, Chairman Su Xinfeng and representatives from all sectors raised their glasses together in a toast to Australia-China friendship, the continued growth of the Alliance, and the promising future of cooperation between the two countries. All guests present stood for the toast, and the atmosphere was both warm and dignified.

The celebration included a formal certificate presentation to honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Alliance's development over the years. These honourees are not only practitioners of Australia-China trade and economic cooperation, but also active promoters of cultural exchange and social responsibility between the two countries.

Mr Peng Weikai, Chairman of the Australian Fine Artists Association, specially presented a work of calligraphy and painting for the celebration. In the cultural performance segment that followed, renowned singer Huang Mei gave a heartfelt performance. In addition, performing arts groups from a range of backgrounds presented a colourful program of song and dance, blending the depth of Chinese culture with the vibrancy of Australia's multiculturalism to give the audience a rich visual and musical experience. From 2012 to 2025, ACCIA has been not only a platform for trade and business cooperation, but also a witness to and driver of Australia-China friendship. Standing at this new historical starting point, the Alliance will continue to steer by innovation and sail by cooperation, working hand in hand with businesses from both countries to build an even brighter future.

The celebration concluded successfully in a warm and lively atmosphere. Guests in attendance said that the thirteenth anniversary was both an important moment to reflect on the past and a new starting point for the future, and that ACCIA would continue to play an increasingly active role in promoting trade and economic cooperation and cultural exchange.

Wang Yongchao, Honorary President of ACCIA and President of the Australia-China Youth Entrepreneurs Alliance, said in an interview after the event: "Inviting Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration Tony Burke to this Chinese community event fully expressed the federal government's recognition and appreciation of migrants of Chinese background. We have also spoken and exchanged views with Tony on many occasions — communication is key to building understanding and trust, and it is only by actively integrating into mainstream Australian society that we can truly find more opportunities for cooperation and exert greater influence. I have always believed that young entrepreneurs are not only beneficiaries of Australia-China trade and economic cooperation, but also an important force driving innovation and promoting multicultural integration."