The Australian Chinese Performing Artist’s Association’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

This year marks the ACPAA’s 20th Anniversary, and on this quiet evening guests gathered at the Sydney Opera House celebrating both Christmas and the ACPAA’s 20th Anniversary together. In the 20 years the ACPAA has walked their path together, each and every cultural performance has not been without the brilliantly coloured lights and sounds of the stage and the young and vibrant attitudes of talented performers. But today, the Sydney Opera House allows the ACPAA to fulfill one of their dreams; to let them stretch their wings on the platform they have been given in Sydney. On the 18th of December, by adopting a low tone for the evening, the ACPAA beared deep gratitude, expressing the warmth of their friendship to their guests.

Photo Gallery Photographer: Cong Yongquan   Video Trailer： ACPAA

Among the guests attending the celebrations that evening was the warmly welcomed VIP, the Consulate General of China in Sydney Mr. Shan Hu and his wife Mrs. Liu Ping, also joining the ACPAA that evening were: Deputy to the Consulate General of China in Sydney Mr. Ningfeng, Mr. Longzhong, Mr. Zhaoli, Mr. Yangbo, Mr. Xiangdong, Mr. Zhuhao, Mr. Yongheng and Mr. Demin. Also joining the APCAA that night were: Mr. Wuchang Mao, President of the Australian Chinese Community Association and his wife Mrs. Chen Ling, Vice Mayor of Burwood Mr. Wang Guozhong, Kangping International Group Chairman Dr. Chen Xinghui and his wife, the Australian Fujian Committee Mr. Hong Yongyu, Australian Freshwater Group Managing Director Mr. Wu Tenghui, Director Mr. Wu Xianghui from the International Investment Group and his wife Mrs. Xiaoxiao, Chairman Yu Weijia from the Aojia Group and his wife Mrs. Jia Qiao Hua, Mr. Wang Wei, President of the Australian Science and Technology Cultural Exchange Center, Chinese news agency Australian branch president and Fuyun Wei Jiang and Mr. Yaping, President of Xinhua News Mr. Zhu Dajiang, Mr. Tao Ye, Chief of CCTV in Australia, Principal Mr. Yang Haiying Phoenix Sydney, Australia, China Radio International chief Miss Deng Li.

Chairman of the ACPAA William Yu addressed the guests with a welcome speech: “As Pengyi has said, tonight we take a low key approach to our celebrations, and we are both thankful and grateful for the strong expressions of friendship brought by each person here tonight. The ACPAA turns 20, bringing back deep memories of the ACPAA 20 years ago; in order for us to sail the sea of life, we must travel away from home during our most celebrated seasons, but here we need to create a “spring time” for ourselves, because life can often lack an “autumn”, forcing us to create a time where we may be prosperous and happy. Following these words, the ACPAA becomes 20 through the many ups and downs we have experienced since its conception.

We thank Mr. Hu Shan of the Consulate General of China in Sydney deeply for your service in Sydney and your support from the Office of the Consulate, and we thank President Chang Mao’s support representing communities both old and new, thank you to the Chinese community leaders in Sydney for their ongoing support to the ACPAA, thank you to the Honourable Mayor Guo zhong for your help and support, to the board presidents Mr. Xing Hui, Mr. Wei Jia, Mr. Wang Wei and all of whom support the ACPAA’s business enterprises, thank you for generously providing the ACPAA with financial aid, executive Mr. Ya Ping, Mr. Da Qiang, Mr. Lu Zhi, Chairman Mr. Hai Ying, Chairman Mr. Deng Li and all of the media who have given the ACPAA generous coverage of our programs and activities. Together, we promote Chinese culture under a banner created by the very sweat of our hard work. Friends! Let us take this opportunity to show the affection, love and support that we can bring in the new year with the ever flourishing youthful spirit we bring.”

The Consulate General of China in Sydney Mr. Hu Shan followed with an important speech: “This ceremonious day marks the 20th Anniversary of the ACPAA, I and my coworkers are very happy to be invited to attend today’s celebrations, and the Office of the Consulate of China in Sydney would like to wish the ACPAA and it’s members a very heartfelt congratulations.
In the last 20 years that William Yu and Qian Qiguo have had the position of Chairman and Honourary Chairman respectively, the ACPAA has forged a marvelous career together presenting dozens of large and small cultural events with unbridled effort, adding to the cultural exchange between China and Australia. The past 20 years of the ACPAA’s exploration in Sydney have seen much practice and innovation, becoming a professional team with strong organizational experience, having strongly influenced the Australian Chinese community. In these 20 years you have had difficult hardships and have had success and happiness. Your devotion and love for Chinese culture despite living away from home has created a magnificent display of talent in Sydney, making an increasingly positive contribution to the promotion of your home culture through Australian Chinese cultural exchange.
With the continual, deepening reforms opening China up, China’s international status is being raised, as well as China’s relations with its international partners. Closer relations are being fostered between China and Australia, and the contributions to this made by the ACPAA present both an opportunity, and a challenge. I hope that the ACPAA can seize these opportunities and meet the challenges, engaging in their work with a down to earth spirit, their achievements becoming greater and greater, for not only the Chinese Community in Sydney, but the cultural exchange between Australia and China.”

Chairman Mr. Wu Changmao, community leader Mr. Wang Guozhong, honourary chairman Mr. Qian Qiguo gave speeches about the 20 years history of the ACPAA, while also placing emphasis on current and upcoming work, guests made toast after toast and drank with a warm and friendly atmosphere in the beautiful Sydney Opera House, spending a wonderful and memorable night together.

Through the ACPAA’s 20 years of hard work and development, almost 100 cultural performances and activities have truly beared their fruit, being a symbol of the dedication of the community through their participation and support, the ACPAA has taken to the stage with charm and courage, demonstrating the hard work of each employee, and it is through this effort that the ACPAA has sought to preserve and pass on Chinese tradition even whilst overseas!

Translation: Luke Jones 鲁明克