- by Fu Lihua – Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth
- The Guardian
- Issue #2165
Chinese Consul-General Fu Lihua attends a photo exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war. Photo: Consulate General of China in Perth’s FaceBook
I arrived in Perth on 16 September to assume the role of the 11th Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth. I am deeply honoured by this appointment and look forward to exploring this beautiful land of Western Australia, actively promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Western Australia so as to bring more mutual benefits to our peoples.
1 October 2025 marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some observations about China.
Over the past 76 years, particularly since the launch of reform and opening-up over four decades ago, the Communist Party of China has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the nation in relentless efforts, lifting nearly 800 million people out of poverty and having achieved two remarkable feats: rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. These accomplishments have transformed China from a poor and backward agrarian society into a modern industrial nation at an accelerated pace, forging a successful path to Chinese modernisation.
Today, China stands as a major engine of global economic growth. China now boasts the world’s second-largest economy, leads in manufacturing output and trade in goods, ranks second in consumer retail sales, and holds the 10th position in the Global Innovation Index. For many years, China has consistently contributed around 30% to global economic growth. Despite mounting external pressures this year, the Chinese economy has maintained stable growth, with high-quality development advancing steadily and new quality productive forces growing rapidly. In the first half of the year, China’s GDP grew by 5.3% year-on-year, while imports and exports of goods increased by 2.9%, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.
Today, China provides a vast platform for shared development opportunities. China remains unwavering in its commitment to high-standard opening-up and a mutually beneficial strategy. China has been the world’s largest trading country in goods for 8 consecutive years and has ranked among the top 3 global sources of outward foreign direct investment for 13 years running. China continues to ease market access for foreign investment, actively supports more countries in integrating into the global market, and expands unilateral opening up to the least developed countries.
The China International Import Expo has served as a “window of opportunity” for participating countries, with intended transactions over the past seven expos exceeding USD 500 billion. From January to August this year, China recorded nearly 15.89 million visa-free entries by foreigners, a year-on-year increase of over 52.1%. China will continue sharing the opportunities of Chinese modernisation with other countries, leveraging its own development to drive progress elsewhere.
Today, China is a stabiliser for the international order. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As a victor of World War II and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods. Reflecting on the past and looking to the future, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Governance Initiative, advocating for a commitment to sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centred approach, and real results.
China’s fundamental stance is to promote the reform and improvement of the global governance system, enhancing its implementation capacity and effectiveness, rather than overturning the existing international order or creating another framework outside the current international system. China will remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. China is ready to work with all countries to advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity and better promoting human development and progress.
It must be emphasised that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s return to China, which is an important outcome of the victory in World War II and a key component of the post-war international order. The historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China is beyond doubt, the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is indisputable, and the trend toward China’s reunification is unstoppable. At the same time, China will always adhere to the path of peaceful development. The Chinese people will never impose the tragic experiences they endured onto other nations. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a pursuit of peace and progress. China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. It will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress.
Today, China is also committed to modernising its system and capacity for governance. As the ruling party, the Communist Party of China consistently attaches great importance to self-reform. On 4 December 2012, the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee adopted the Eight Rules on Improving Party and Government Conduct and Maintaining Close Ties with the People, a major move in the Party’s self-reform and the great new project of Party building. It has also provided a Chinese solution to improving global governance, with growing global significance. The Eight Rules have contributed to the modernisation of China’s system and capacity for governance. They invigorated Party members and cadres to be proactive and dedicated, ultimately enhancing the Party’s overall long-term governing capability. It has not only injected strong momentum into the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, but also provided political parties worldwide with a reference to enhance their party building and governance capacity, earning recognition and praise from an increasing number of foreign political leaders.
As two important countries in the Asia-Pacific region with highly complementary economic structures, China and Australia share significant interests in strengthening cooperation for mutual development and promoting global peace and stability. In recent years, the comprehensive turnaround in China-Australia relations has delivered tangible benefits to our peoples. In July, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid a successful visit to China. During their meeting, President Xi Jinping emphasised that both sides should continue to enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, foster greater people-to-people friendship, and jointly address risks and challenges. China is ready to work with Australia to further advance our relations for the benefit of our two peoples.
Among all Australian states, Western Australia boasts the closest and most prominent practical cooperation with China. For many years, China has been WA’s largest trading partner, largest export market, and largest source of imports. Chinese companies and Chinese community in WA have made significant contributions to local economic and social development. Just 4 days after my arrival, I had the honour of meeting WA Premier Roger Cook before his visit to China to discuss further enhancing ties between China and WA.
I look forward to engaging with people from all regions and sectors of Western Australia, listening to your opinions and suggestions, providing high-quality consular services, and actively promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and WA to foster mutual benefits for our peoples and contribute to the development of China-Australia relations as a whole.
I sincerely encourage people from all sectors in Western Australia to initiate and deepen exchanges and cooperation with China. I also encourage more young people from Western Australia to visit China for study tours to experience the real China firsthand. Partnering with China means walking hand in hand with opportunities.
Eight rules?
The Eight Rules on Improving Party and Government Conduct and Maintaining Close Ties with the People are eight principles introduced just weeks after Xi Jinping was elected General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. The rules are set down in just over 600 words.
The eight areas are:
- conducting better research and analysis and truly understanding actual conditions when doing grassroots-level studies
- streamlining meetings and improving the way meetings are conducted
- making documents and briefing papers more concise and improving writing styles
- standardising procedures for working visits abroad
- improving security and continuing to observe the principle of doing what improves relations with the people
- improving news reports
- having strict rules on the publication of articles
- promoting frugality and the strict observance of rules on incorruptibility in government.
In an article explaining the 8 rules, which are still being implemented, Xi Jinping has emphasised that good work conduct is critical to the survival of a governing party, and that the key requirement is maintaining a close bond with the people.
