It was undeniably an acknowledgement of achievement, a recognition of vision, persistence and patience over many years.
It was undeniably an acknowledgement of achievement, a recognition of vision, persistence and patience over many years.
There was cap-throwing, three cheers and a toast.
Yet those at the celebrations, co-hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth and Australia LNG at Consulate-General headquarters, were gazing firmly toward the future.
Premier Geoff Gallop admonished those in WA celebrating the first LNG supply contract to China, that the State was intent on building on investment between China and Australia.
WA had plenty of skilled and creative people, capable of producing more opportunities, he said.
The Consul General, Zhang Lian Yun, described the new deal as a historical project, and spoke of the excitement and great happiness of all consulate staff, who had looked forward to hosting the promised celebratory evening should the WA project be victorious.
It was a "fantastic achievement", he said.
But he, too, looked to the future, to the further enhancement of friendly and fruitful relations and spoke of "quite a few" potential projects also under discussion this year.
"This is not a single business contract. This is a diverse long-term cooperation, based on LNG, but in numerous other sectors, too.
"More delegations will be visiting each other, to develop this co-operation, and there will be better understanding and closer relation-ships."
Australia LNG president Arthur Dixon said WA had served notice it was open for business.
"We’ve kicked a goal – and what a good goal.
"But we now have to play our part in making it a success. This is a serious obligation."
Most hearing the speeches were already convinced of the work and opportunity ahead.
These were the new deal’s lawyers and translators, consulate and Australia LNG staff, corporate communications people, government agency experts and former leaders and ministers.
But they also included a much wider support and business network at the forefront of past accomplishments, ongoing liaisons and new developments – the China Friendship Society, the Australia China Business Council, the local Chinese press, Shang-hai BaoSteel Group Corporation, and the China Metallurgical Import and Export Corporation (Australia).
Beijing Sanyuan Foods was there, already running a Capel dairy, supplying McDonalds in China with 1,000 tonnes of cheddar each year, and looking to develop a dairy cooperative.
There was cap-throwing, three cheers and a toast.
Yet those at the celebrations, co-hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Perth and Australia LNG at Consulate-General headquarters, were gazing firmly toward the future.
Premier Geoff Gallop admonished those in WA celebrating the first LNG supply contract to China, that the State was intent on building on investment between China and Australia.
WA had plenty of skilled and creative people, capable of producing more opportunities, he said.
The Consul General, Zhang Lian Yun, described the new deal as a historical project, and spoke of the excitement and great happiness of all consulate staff, who had looked forward to hosting the promised celebratory evening should the WA project be victorious.
It was a "fantastic achievement", he said.
But he, too, looked to the future, to the further enhancement of friendly and fruitful relations and spoke of "quite a few" potential projects also under discussion this year.
"This is not a single business contract. This is a diverse long-term cooperation, based on LNG, but in numerous other sectors, too.
"More delegations will be visiting each other, to develop this co-operation, and there will be better understanding and closer relation-ships."
Australia LNG president Arthur Dixon said WA had served notice it was open for business.
"We’ve kicked a goal – and what a good goal.
"But we now have to play our part in making it a success. This is a serious obligation."
Most hearing the speeches were already convinced of the work and opportunity ahead.
These were the new deal’s lawyers and translators, consulate and Australia LNG staff, corporate communications people, government agency experts and former leaders and ministers.
But they also included a much wider support and business network at the forefront of past accomplishments, ongoing liaisons and new developments – the China Friendship Society, the Australia China Business Council, the local Chinese press, Shang-hai BaoSteel Group Corporation, and the China Metallurgical Import and Export Corporation (Australia).
Beijing Sanyuan Foods was there, already running a Capel dairy, supplying McDonalds in China with 1,000 tonnes of cheddar each year, and looking to develop a dairy cooperative.
