Guests attending National Day receptions congratulate People's Republic of China on 75th founding anniversary

Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan, Australia and New Zealand have hosted receptions to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China, with guests expressing admiration for China’s achievements over the past decades.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan on Sept. 26 held a National Day reception attended by representatives from different walks of life.

"Through hard work, the Chinese people have made brilliant achievements in a short period of time, which is unprecedented in human history. Now the Chinese people have achieved this and should be proud of it. (You) should feel proud," said Yuji Miyamoto, President of Japan-China Friendship Center.

"After 75 years of development, New China has truly made amazing achievements. I sincerely congratulate you, congratulations!" said Onishi Hiroshi, Professor of Economics at Keio University.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia and the Consulate-General of China in Sydney also hosted receptions ahead of the National Day to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Guests from Australia and China mingled and enjoyed traditional Chinese culture performances in Canberra.

"China's development over the last 75 years has been amazing. People's prosperity has improved, and the development in the cities is astonishing, very impressive,” said Carol Keil, president of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) branch of the Australia-China Friendship Society.

Over 350 guests were present at the reception held by the Consulate-General of China in Sydney, including members of the federal and New South Wales (NSW) parliaments, former political leaders, local lord mayors, and others

"I went to Shanghai and many other Chinese cities in June this year, and I found that China's intelligent manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are all very developed. So I believe that China's future is going to be really not bad. I hope that our Australia-China relationship will get better and better,” said Patrick Mayoh, CEO of the Australia-China Business Council NSW branch.

At a reception in Wellington, capital city of New Zealand, guests enjoyed an exhibition of ancient painted sculptures and murals from the Dunhuang Maogao Cave, as Chinese traditional craftsmen showcased Chaozhou Kung Fu Tea Art, Guqin Art, Canton Porcelain Firing Techinique and Guanxiang Craftsmanship.

Touched by the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the reception, the guests praised the Chinese traditional culture and extended best wishes for the bright future of China-New Zealand relationship.

"It's tremendous of course what has been achieved and I was particularly pleased to hear in the Ambassador's speech the commitment to continuing reform and continued opening up, delivering a different message, one that’s about embracing world connections,” said Chris Lipscombe, National President of NZ China Friendship Society.

"It's great to be here tonight celebrating 75 year of the People's Republic of China. And as we think about those 75 years, we think about the tremendous development that has happened in China. And it truly is one of the most remarkable things that I think has happened in recent human history," said Brett O'Riley, member of APEC Business Advisory Council.

The Consulate General of China in Auckland also held a grand reception at the Auckland Museum to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Local artistic groups delivered a series of captivating performances at the joyous occasion, delighting the guests.

Guests attending National Day receptions congratulate People's Republic of China on 75th founding anniversary

The Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has seen a surge in imports and exports over nearly a decade, driving trade and growth in China's cold chain sector due to improved logistics and streamlined customs procedures.

The International Cold Chain Center at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, the country's largest single cold storage facility, houses hundreds of types of fresh products from around the world.

In 2022, the value of imported cold chain goods at Nansha Port reached nearly 23 billion yuan (over 3 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 80 percent from the previous year.

Nansha Port has become the largest importer of cherries and durians in the Chinese mainland, where speed is crucial for perishable products. 

"For imported fresh fruits, we have rapid customs clearance channels, including pre-approval for certificates, advance declarations for imported container cargo at customs, and direct pickups at the dock. Then the products from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and so on are distributed to cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within one hour, and other parts of the country within 24 hours," said Hu Zhengjun, business manager of Guangzhou Nansha International Cold Chain Corporation.

Nansha's transformation from a lesser-known port into a key hub in the Pearl River Delta mirrors the broader progress of the free trade zone.  

"To help businesses thrive and boost foreign trade, it's crucial to create a favorable business environment, drive institutional improvements, and align with high international standards. The development of cold chain logistics is a prime example of this approach," said Xie Xiaohui, director of Business Bureau of Nansha District under the Guangdong FTZ.

In the first half of this year, the import and export volume of the FTZ reached 46 billion US dollars, up 30 percent year on year. 

Zhang Jingsong, director of general affairs office of Guangdong Free Trade Zone, said the area has become a crucial driver for the entire province.

"Despite occupying less than 0.1 percent of the province's land area, the Guangdong Free Trade Zone has contributed 7.6 percent of the province's foreign trade of imports and exports, and one quarter of its actual foreign investment," said Zhang.

Inaugurated in 2015, the Guangdong FTZ encompasses the Nansha New Area in Guangzhou, Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen, and Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai. 

Over the past nine years, foreign trade in the FTZ has grown from nearly 14 billion US dollars in 2015 to 80 billion US dollars in 2023, averaging a 24-percent annual growth rate. 

Efficient customs clearance spurs cold chain logistics in Guangdong FTZ