Statement by Consul-General Dong Zhihua at the 25th National Conference of the Chinese Language Teachers' Federation of Australia

尊敬的萨曼莎·罗伊女士，西澳州政府教育培训部长代表，州旅游部长代表，教育培训部长州议会秘书，

尊敬的金·艾尔伍德女士，西澳州地方政府、体育和文化产业部多元文化办公室执行总监，

尊敬的杰沃佛·戴维斯先生，澳大利亚中文教师联会创始人，

尊敬的李复新博士，澳大利亚中文教师联会会长，

尊敬的张洁琦女士，西澳中文教师协会会长，

各位会员，女士们，先生们，朋友们，

Hon. Samantha Rowe MLC, Parliament Secretary to the Minister of Education and Training, representative of Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Education and Training and Hon. Paul Papalia MLA, Minister for Tourism; Racing and Gaming; Small Business, Defence Issues; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests,

Ms. Kim Ellwood, Executive Director, Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries,

Mr. Geoff Davis AM, Founder and Life Member, Chinese Language Teachers' Federation of Australia(CLTFA),

Dr. Li Fuxin, National President of CLTFA ,

Mrs. Zhang Jieqi, President, Chinese Language Teachers' Association of Western Australia, 

Distinguished members of CLTFA,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

　　很高兴参加2019年澳大利亚中文教师联会第25届年会。作为中国驻珀斯总领事，欢迎远道而来参会的朋友们。希望大家有时间感受珀斯的美丽。对西澳人民来说，珀斯是印度洋的一颗明珠，处于世界人口最稠密的时区，珀斯并不孤独。

　　今天的年会十分重要。中国有尊师重教的传统，可以追溯到公元2000多年前的孔子。每年9月10日是中国教师节，很高兴与来自澳大利亚全国的中文教师们见面。中国驻澳大利亚使领馆都愿为各州中文教师联会提供支持。首先我想宣读中国驻澳大利亚大使成竞业阁下的贺辞。

It is my great pleasure to attend the 25th National Conference of the Chinese Language Teachers' Federation of Australia (CLTFA). As Chinese Consul General in Perth, I cordially welcome you all. To those who have traveled afar to Western Australia, I hope you figure out some time to enjoy the very unique beauty of Perth, which local people takes great pride in. Though I have been here merely two and a half months, Perth has already captured my heart as a shining pearl in the Indian Ocean, which is located in the most populous time zone in the world.

I must say that this Conference is very important and meaningful. China has long entrenched respect for teachers, and this tradition dates back to the era of Confucius more than 2000 years ago. Teaching is considered one of the best careers in China and Chinese government formally designated September 10 as Teachers' Day in 1985. Chinese Embassy and all the five Consulate Generals in Australia firmly support the work of the CLTFA. I am very happy to join you today to celebrate Chinese language teachers from every corner of Australia, and I would like to first of all share with you the congratulatory message from H.E. Ambassador Cheng Jingye.

　　衷心祝贺澳大利亚中文教师联会成立25周年！多年来，中文教师联会为促进澳大利亚中小学中文教学发挥了值得称道的重要作用。谨对广大中文教师多年来付出的辛勤努力和做出的突出贡献表示敬意。

　　祝愿澳大利亚中文教师联会百尺竿头、更进一步，为推广中国语言文化、密切中澳人文交流续写新的篇章！

Congratulations to the 25th Anniversary of the Chinese Language Teachers' Federation of Australia (CLTFA)! Over the years, the CLTFA has played praiseworthy roles in popularizing Chinese language teaching in Australian elementary and secondary education. I hereby forward great compliments to the Chinese language teachers in Australia for your unremitting efforts thus paid and the outstanding achievements thus attained.

Best wishes to the CLTFA and hopefully the Federation would make greater contributions to promote Chinese Language and culture in Australia and furthermore to strengthen the People-to-People exchange between China and Australia!