Mutual Beneficial and Win-Win Partnership between China and Tasmania

--By Long Zhou, Chinese Consul General in Melbourne

　　2019年8月16日，驻墨尔本总领事龙舟在塔斯马尼亚州最大英文日报《水星报》发表题为《中国与塔斯马尼亚州—互利共赢的好伙伴、好朋友》的署名文章。全文如下：

On August 21, 2019, Tasmanian newspaper Mercury published an article named Mutual Beneficial and Win-Win Partnership between China and Tasmania by Long Zhou, Consul General of People's Republic of China in Melbourne. The full text is as follows:

　　今年2月，我作为新任中国驻墨尔本总领事到任履职。驻墨尔本总领馆领区包括澳大利亚的维多利亚州和塔斯马尼亚州。在此之前，我从未到访过塔州，但我对这个位于澳大利亚最南端、风光旖旎的海岛却并不陌生。2014年11月18日，中国国家主席习近平访问塔州，极大地提升了塔州在中国的知名度。朗塞斯顿市斯科奇－欧克伯恩小学的小学生在给习主席的信中介绍了塔州独特的物产和美丽的风光，提到了塔胡恩空中栈道、大峡谷，还有“塔斯马尼亚恶魔”，这让我对美丽而独特的塔州满怀了期待。

I assumed my post as Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne this February, the consular district of which covers Victoria and Tasmania. I had not visited Tasmania at that point, but was no stranger to this enchanting island located in the southernmost of Australia. The visit by President Xi Jinping to Tasmania on 18 November 2014 has made more Chinese people know Tasmania. The letter written to President Xi by the pupils of Scotch Oakburn College introduced Tasmania's unique products, beautiful scenery, and made mention of the Tahune Air Walk, Cataract Gorge, and Tasmanian Devil, which filled me with anticipation about seeing beautiful and unique Tasmania.

　　今年6月18日至19日，我首次对塔州进行了两天短暂而充实的访问。虽然时值南半球的冬季，但霍巴特优美城市景观、热情友好的塔州人民却让我感到暖意融融。恰逢冬日庆典在霍巴特盛大举行，更让我对塔州人民的创意活力和对生活的热爱印象深刻，感谢塔州政府和议会给予我此访热情接待和周到安排。

I made a brief but substantial two-day visit to Tasmania for the first time on 18-19 June. Although we were in the midst of winter in the southern hemisphere, I was very warmed by the especially beautiful sights of Hobart City and friendly Tasmanian people. My visit coincided with the big wintry celebration of Dark MOFO in Hobart, leaving me with a deep impression of Tasmanians' creative energies and zest for life. I would like to express my thanks to the Tasmanian State Government and Parliament for their warm reception and thoughtful arrangements on this occasion. 

　　我很高兴会见了霍奇曼州长、华纳州督女士、州议会上议长法雷尔、大法官布罗、反对党代表培根、霍巴特市长雷诺兹、塔大校长布莱克等各界代表，同他们就推动塔州各领域对华合作深入交换了意见。我访问了塔州经济发展部，详细了解中国与塔州经贸投资领域合作情况，并与中塔工商界进行了广泛交流。我还走访了一些塔州华人社团，并看望了部分在塔斯马尼亚大学霍巴特校区学习的中国留学生。我满怀推动中国与塔州关系进一步发展的诚意而来，而塔州政府及各界致力于发展对华关系的积极性也让我深感欣慰和感动。访塔期间所见所闻让我对中国与塔州合作的美好未来充满信心和期待。

I have had the great pleasure to meet and exchange views with H.E. the Hon. Governor Kate Warner, Hon. Premier Will Hodgman, President of Legislative Council Hon. Craig Farrell, Chief Justice Hon. Alan Blow, Scott Bacon MP representing the Opposition Party, Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds and Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black from the University of Tasmania. I also had the chance to visit the Department of State Growth to gain a fuller understanding of economic, trade and investment cooperation between China and Tasmania, and have had extensive discussions with local industry and business community. I was able to visit some Chinese associations in the state and to meet Chinese students studying at the University of Tasmania's Hobart Campus. I came with the strong and sincere hope for further promoting China-Tasmania relationship and found the enthusiasm showed by the State Government and the broader society for developing our bilateral relations really gratifying and touching. What I witnessed in my visit has left me full of confidence and with hope for a brighter future of Chinese-Tasmanian cooperation.