With the arrival of the 2008 Spring Festival and the Year of Rat, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my festival greetings to the Chinese community and other friends from all walks of life in Queensland.

2007 witnessed sound and rapid development of the China-Queensland relationship. The Chinese Consulate was upgraded to the Consulate General and the Economic and Commercial Section was established. The Chalco Aurukun project launched the Feasibility Study. China Eastern Airlines launched its direct flight between Brisbane and Shanghai. More than 30,000 Queenslanders applied for visa to China – an increase of 26% over 2006.

In 2008, the 29th Olympic Games will be held in Beijing. Two Confucius Institutes will appear on the campuses of the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology respectively. We are expecting more co-operation and communications between China and Queensland.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the local Chinese community and other friends for your continuous and strong support to the Chinese Consulate General.

I wish you and your family healthy, happy and prosperous in 2008!

Ren Gongping
Consul General
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane.

在2008年鼠年春节到来之际，我谨代表中国驻布里斯班总领事馆向昆士兰州全体华侨华人和其他社会各界朋友致以新年的祝福。

2007年，中国和昆士兰州关系保持健康快速发展。中国驻布里斯班领事馆升格为总领事馆，并新成立了经济商务办公室。中国铝业股份有限公司奥鲁昆项目顺利进入可行性研究阶段。中国东方航空公司启动了布里斯班和上海间直航。3万多位昆州公民申请赴华签证，比2006年同比增长26%。

2008年，第29届奥运会将在北京举行。两个孔子学院将分别在昆士兰大学和昆士兰科技大学成立。我们期待着中国和昆士兰州间更多的交流与合作。

我愿借此机会对昆士兰州全体华侨华人和其他社会各界朋友给予中国驻布里斯班总领事馆的大力支持表示衷心感谢。

祝你们全家2008年健康、幸福、事业发达！

中华人民共和国驻布里斯班总领事