维多利亚州一直在中澳交往合作中发挥着重要作用。维州是澳大利亚人口和经济第二大州，又被誉为“文化之都”、“教育之州”。在双方的共同努力下，中国已是维州最大的贸易伙伴、最大的留学生来源地和最大的旅游收入来源国。维州政府致力于在相互尊重、相互信任基础上与中方构建长期伙伴关系，为双方人文教育领域交流合作创造了良好条件。最近，维州政府与中方签署“一带一路”合作谅解备忘录，成为澳首个正式参与“一带一路”合作的州区，进一步体现了维州发展对华关系的信心和远见。

Being Australia's second largest state in both population and economy and the cultural capital and education state, Victoria has always played a significant role in promoting Australia-China exchanges and cooperation. Thanks to our joint efforts, China has become Victoria's largest trading partner, largest source of international students and largest source of tourist receipts. The Victorian government is committed to building a long-term partnership with China on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, creating an favourable environment for our cultural and educational exchanges. More recently, in another show of its confidence and vision about Victoria-China relations, the Victorian government signed an MOU on "Belt and Road" cooperation with China, making Victoria the first Australian state to formally participate in the "Belt and Road" cooperation.

　　“国之交在于民相亲，民相亲在于心相通”，我们希望未来有更多的澳大利亚青年能到中国交流学习，也希望有更多的青年朋友成为中澳交往合作的参与者、中澳友谊的贡献者。

　　最后，希望大家今晚在这里畅叙友情，享用中国美食，度过一个愉快的夜晚！

　　谢谢！

As the Chinese saying goes, "the key to sound state-to-state relations lies in amity between the people, and the key to amity between the people lies in mutual understanding". We hope that more young Australians will have the chance to study in China, and more young friends from both sides will engage in bilateral exchanges and cooperation and contribute to China-Australia friendship.

To conclude, I hope you will take tonight's opportunity to renew friendship and make new friends while enjoying the Chinese food. Have an enjoyable evening!

Thank you.