Building a Bridge of Love and Friendship over Two Decades

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, and also the 20th anniversary of ACFS Canberra Branch’s donations to the Hope Project. On February 23, the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC) and the ACFS Canberra Branch jointly held a webinar to celebrate the 20^th anniversary.

In his speech, Dai Jianjun, a Deputy Counsel of the BPAFFC, said that we had witnessed friendship shown by the Australian people to the Chinese people over the past two decades. This abundantly demonstrates the strong vitality and resilience of the people-to-people friendship between China and Australia. Beijing and Canberra are sister cities. Their charity projects are a paragon of cooperation between sister cities and epitomize the friendship between the people of the two cities. Particularly in the few years when the COVID-19 pandemic has been raging, ACFS Canberra Branch has donated money despite immense difficulties, a truly commendable act. This year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. We hope to take this opportunity to strengthen people-to-people communication, cement friendship through Beijing-Canberra cooperation in charity, and bring vitality of people-to-people friendship in China-Australia relations.

Carol Keil, President of the ACFS Canberra Branch, introduced that the ACFS has put in great efforts to cement the friendship between Australia and China and raise donations for the Hope Project. In particular, she mentioned that she was moved to receive letters full of human touch from the beneficiary students. President Carol Keil donated funds to the Hope Project for 2022 on behalf of the ACFS Canberra Branch during the webinar.

As the institution for implementing Hope Project in the Beijing region, Beijing Youth Development Foundation is the receiver of donations. For two decades, it has been through this foundation that Australian donations have reached students in need. On behalf of beneficiary students, Secretary-General Han Lu thanked the Australian party for its love and support over the years, and said that the Beijing Youth Development Foundation would further improve the support platform to help students to have quality education. Han Lu also presented a certificate of honor to the Australian party.

The Central Elementary School of Labagoumen Manchu Township, Huairou District, a school that received ACFS Canberra Branch’s first donation 20 years ago, also joined the webinar. One beneficiary student shared her daily life and thanked the ACFS Canberra Branch. She resolved to contribute to society in the future and pass on this care and love. Those present were warmed by her words.

Liu Yuhong, Director of the Promotion Department of Foreign Language Press, who was also invited to the event, donated books to the Australian party online in order to help the Australian people learn more about China’s cultural and development.

As an important partner of the BPAFFC, the ACFS Canberra Branch has donated nearly RMB 200,000 to the Hope Project through the Beijing Youth Development Foundation for 20 straight years. Over the past two decades, the two associations have built a bridge of love and friendship between Beijing and Canberra.