Channel 33:

I would like to ask Mr. Yu a question. I understand you've achieved many cultural "firsts" in Australia, including the first Spring Festival gala and the first Chinese-language theatrical production. Based on your experience, could you share how cultural initiatives can be used to promote China-Australia friendship and encourage people-to-people connections? Thank you.

Yu Junwu:

Thank you. I went to Australia to study in the 1980s. At that time, there were few Chinese cultural activities in Australia, giving us opportunities to fill that cultural gap. These included the first Chinese-language theater production, the first overseas Spring Festival gala, the first Chinese art school, and the historic debut of Chinese culture at Sydney Opera House. Over the past 30 years, I think we have always held to one belief: as foreign nationals of Chinese descent, the spirit of the Chinese nation and its entire culture is an inherent part of who we are. Additionally, as people in the cultural field, it is our responsibility to pass on and promote Chinese culture abroad. The best way for Chinese culture to flourish abroad is through its people. Over the years, we have continuously explored localized operations because only through localization can we build bridges of mutual understanding in the local community. To achieve this, we need to first bring together talented, accomplished, passionate and dedicated individuals who love Chinese culture to work as a unified force.

Moreover, Australia is a multicultural country. When organizing activities, we must consider mutual learning, emotional resonance and shared values with other ethnic communities. We should build our approach to success on the foundation of equality, respect and mutual benefit, working together to cultivate this land. Only through this approach can more non-Chinese speakers in Australia's multicultural environment come to understand, appreciate and engage with Chinese culture. I truly feel that community harmony is the cornerstone of a prosperous multicultural society, while culture and art serve as the wellspring for promoting such harmony. By embracing the spirit of "appreciating our own beauty, celebrating others' beauty, and sharing beauty together," we achieve the ideal that "relations between nations depend on bonds between peoples, and bonds between peoples depend on mutual understanding."

Thank you.