Remarks at the National Day Reception

Beirut, 23 September 2013

 

Your Excellency Minister Vrej Sabounjian, Representative of President Sleiman and Prime Minister Mikati,

Your Excellency Mr. Kassem Hachem, Representative of Speaker Berri,

Your Excellency Mr. Amine Farshoukh, Representative of Prime Minister Designate Salam,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

各位侨胞,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the reception celebrating the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Thank you all for coming.

The Chinese nation has a 5,000-year history, but the PRC was only founded 64 years ago. This makes China a country both ancient and new. And the past 64 years have been an extraordinary period in China’s history. Back in 1949, China was poor and weak. Sixty-four years on, today, China is the second largest economy in the world with growing national strength and higher international standing. China’s rapid development has caught the attention of the world and many people wonder what the reason is behind China’s rise.

In my view, China’s development would not have been possible without the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Without the CPC, we would not have the new China and the rise of China. Last year, the CPC elected the new central leadership at its 18th national congress and set the goals of China’s development for the future. We will build China into a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and turn China into a country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by 2050. We call this the Chinese dream and all the Chinese people are working with one heart and one mind to realize this beautiful dream.

In my view, China’s development would not have been possible without reform and opening-up. By steadily deepening reform, China has gained the strength to move forward and transformed itself from a planned economy to a socialist market economy. The course of China’s development is a process of opening up to and learning from the world. China has introduced and absorbed lots of advanced technologies and managerial expertise from other countries. It joined the WTO and gradually became integrated into the global economy. China is the largest trading partner of 128 countries. In 2012, China’s GDP exceeded 8 trillion US dollars and accounted for over half of Asia’s economic growth. In the coming five years, China will import more than 10 trillion dollars of goods and invest up to 500 billion dollars abroad. Chinese tourists will make more than 400 million outbound visits. China’s sustained rapid growth means more development opportunities for other countries.

In my view, China’s development would not have been possible without a peaceful and stable international environment. There is only one Earth for mankind, and we all live in the same world. The international community has become a community of common destiny where countries are closely interconnected. We should all be guided by the spirit of equality, peaceful coexistence, inclusiveness and mutual learning. China will stay committed to the path of peaceful development, the independent foreign policy of peace and the win-win strategy of opening-up. We will firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations.

In my view, China’s development would not have been possible without the hard work and ingenuity of the Chinese nation. Chinese people have been known, since ancient times, for their enterprise and perseverance. The many hardships the Chinese nation has endured have only made us stronger. After the founding of the PRC, the Chinese people met all challenges head on and laid the foundation for industrialization through strenuous efforts. Since the reform and opening-up process began, the Chinese people have made bold experiments and embarked on a path of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. And since the dawn of this century, the Chinese people have been working with a pioneering spirit toward the great renewal of the Chinese nation. No matter where they are, the courage, wisdom and strength of the Chinese compatriots both at home and abroad have always been an inexhaustible source of progress for China’s development, reform and innovation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China is an ancient civilization in east Asia, whereas Lebanon is a brilliant example of cultural diversity in west Asia. Exchanges between China and Lebanon date back to antiquity. And our two peoples enjoy a profound friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971, China has always been committed to developing friendship and enhancing cooperation with Lebanon. Politically, we respect each other, treat each other as equals and render each other understanding and support on issues involving our core interests and major concerns. Economically, the two countries have been engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation. Bilateral trade keeps growing, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. We have conducted close cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning in culture and education. We have jointly established in Lebanon the first Confucius Institute in the entire Middle East. Each year, we exchange students, offer each other scholarships and send artists to perform in each other’s countries. We have also maintained productive communication and coordination with each other on major regional and international affairs and worked together to uphold peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China and Lebanon are both developing countries. Development is our common priority. The Chinese embassy will work with people from all walks of life in Lebanon to carry forward the friendship between our two countries, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen practical cooperation. I am confident that through concerted efforts, we will take our bilateral relations to a new high.

May China-Lebanon friendship last forever!