March 8, 2026
Haymarket Chamber of Commerce held its 2026 Year of the Fire Horse Lunar New Year Banquet at the Eight Restaurant in Sydney’s Chinatown on Friday, 27 February 2026 which was attended by close to 400 members and friends of the Chamber.
The event was also reported in our local Chinese media 2CR and 1688.com.au.
Below is an English translation of the 2CR report:
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The Haymarket Chamber of Commerce held its 2026 Lunar New Year Gala Dinner last night at Eight Restaurant in Sydney’s Chinatown. Approximately 400 leaders from politics and business, diplomatic representatives, and community members gathered to celebrate the arrival of the Lunar Year of the Fire Horse.
Distinguished guests included Federal Member for Banks Zhi Soon, representing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor; NSW Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-sen Li, representing NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Stephen Kamper; NSW Legislative Council Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope; NSW Member for Oatley Mark Coure; NSW Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich; NSW Member for Newtown Jenny Leong; Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg; NSW Member for Davidson Matt Cross; Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore; Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney Wang Yu; Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr Siswo Pramono; Indonesian Consul-General in Sydney Pendekar Muda Leonard Sondakh; and Consul of the French Consulate-General in Sydney Chloe Quintin, among other diplomatic representatives.
The evening commenced with a Welcome to Country delivered by Indigenous representative Uncle Michael West. He welcomed guests and emphasized respect for the traditional custodians of the land, noting that unity and mutual understanding in a multicultural society form the foundation of Australia’s continued prosperity. This was followed by an energetic lion dance performance by the Pak Hok Kung Fu troupe, whose rhythmic drums and cymbals set a festive and celebratory tone for the night.
In his address, Haymarket Chamber of Commerce President Vincent Lim expressed heartfelt thanks to government representatives at all levels, business partners, and community leaders. He noted that Australia has become one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies thanks to policies introduced decades ago that allowed migrants from diverse backgrounds to settle and thrive. He emphasised that Haymarket, as one of Sydney’s most historically and culturally significant Chinese commercial precincts, is not only a business hub but also a symbol of community spirit and cultural heritage.
Addressing current public discussions surrounding housing and social resource allocation, he stressed that international students and migrants should not be wrongly blamed as the root cause of such issues. The real solution, he argued, lies in continued government investment in housing supply and infrastructure development, rather than undermining Australia’s successful education and migration systems. He affirmed that the Chamber will continue to provide platforms supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen communication with government, and enhance community safety and business vitality. He concluded by wishing everyone courage and success in the Year of the Fire Horse and invited guests to raise a toast to the New Year.
Representing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Federal Member for Banks Zhi Soon said he was honoured to attend the Haymarket Lunar New Year celebration on behalf of the Prime Minister. He described Haymarket as a longstanding showcase of Australia’s successful multicultural practice and a reflection of the Chinese community’s significant contributions to the nation’s economy, culture, and society. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Haymarket to unveil the Museum of Chinese Australian History, demonstrating the Federal Government’s commitment to recognizing and preserving Chinese Australian heritage. He praised the Chamber’s longstanding efforts in promoting business collaboration and community development and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for multiculturalism and inclusive opportunities for all Australians. He wished everyone a prosperous and joyful New Year.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor extended his New Year greetings and emphasised that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Australia’s economy. In an era of global economic uncertainty, he said, chambers of commerce play a vital role in supporting SMEs, fostering business networks, and facilitating resource sharing. He commended the Chamber’s work in creating partnership opportunities and strengthening business confidence, and noted that the Opposition would continue focusing on reducing business costs and improving the operating environment to allow enterprises to innovate and grow. He wished everyone greater opportunities in the year ahead.
Representing NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-sen Li delivered a bilingual speech in English and Chinese. He reflected on celebrating Lunar New Year during his childhood and how his parents passed down Chinese cultural traditions and values. Quoting the proverb “Sai Weng lost his horse—who knows if it is not a blessing in disguise,” he explained how Eastern wisdom emphasises the interdependence of fortune and misfortune. He also referenced the Australian literary classic The Man from Snowy River, which embodies courage and perseverance, suggesting that Australia uniquely blends Eastern wisdom with Western resilience. He encouraged the younger generation to preserve their cultural roots while actively participating in public life and community building, wishing everyone both wisdom and courage in the Year of the Fire Horse.
NSW Legislative Council Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope remarked that strong chambers of commerce are often indicators of vibrant economies. Drawing from his experience as a former Small Business Minister, he emphasized the crucial role of SMEs in job creation and community prosperity. He praised the Chamber for providing networking platforms and encouraged entrepreneurs to remain confident and supportive of one another during challenging times. He pledged to continue advocating for fair and sustainable policy support for small businesses at the parliamentary level.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO stated that the City of Sydney remains committed to supporting the continued development of the Haymarket precinct. She noted that the City has provided funding through shopfront improvement grants to help businesses upgrade their premises and enhance the streetscape. She described Haymarket as not only a tourism and commercial hotspot but also an important area for preserving Chinese history and culture. Referring to the newly opened Museum of Chinese Australian History, she called it a milestone in sharing Chinese Australian stories with the broader community. She wished the Year of the Fire Horse would bring vitality, determination, and unity to the community.
NSW Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich observed that the presence of cross-party political leaders demonstrated strong bipartisan support for the Haymarket Chamber and the Chinese community. He noted the important contributions of the Chinese community across all sectors of Australian society and highlighted the growing representation of Chinese and Asian Australians in Parliament as a sign of social progress. He pledged continued collaboration with the Chamber to promote community safety, cultural activities, and business development.
NSW Greens Member for Newtown Jenny Leong emphasised the importance of visibility and representation of Chinese Australians in public life. She acknowledged the community’s long journey in striving for fairness and dignity and said today’s achievements were hard-earned. She encouraged continued unity and civic engagement to secure more equitable opportunities for future generations, wishing everyone strength and determination in the New Year.
The evening also featured the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Ceremony, recognising individuals and organisations for outstanding community contributions. The Project of the Year Award was presented to Neon Playground 2.0 for successfully integrating art, music, and street culture to engage the wider public. The Community Organisation of the Year Award was presented to the Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA) in recognition of its contributions to preserving and showcasing Chinese Australian history. The Chamber Member of the Year Award went to Anthony Ho of Basalt Studio, who has designed Lunar New Year installations for Dixon Street over many consecutive years. The Lifetime Community Achievement Award was presented to Henry Tsang OAM in recognition of more than half a century of dedication to community development.
Throughout the evening, guests also enjoyed multicultural performances and lucky draw sessions, mingling and celebrating together in a joyful and festive atmosphere.
