John Brumby, national president of Australia China Business Council

The re-emergence of China on the global stage has been one of the great developmental successful stories of modern times with 850 million people lifting themselves out of poverty. On the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Australia China Business Council recognises China's achievements and acknowledges that the Australia-China journey has only just begun. Australia was one of the first countries to open up diplomatic relations with China in December 1972. The following year saw the formation of the Australia China Business Council and we are proud to have played a valuable role in the bilateral relationship since its very early days.