Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening!

It is my great pleasure to have you join us tonight to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of all the staff at the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, please allow me to extend the warmest welcome to all the distinguished guests and express our sincere gratitude to all the Lebanese friends who have been supporting China's development and fostering the growth of the relationship between our two countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year of 2018 is a significant year for China in the New Era. This year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up for China. After 40 years of endeavors, China has grown to be the world's second largest economy, Chinese people's living standard has been constantly improving, a total number of 740 million people have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for more than 70% of world poverty reduction in the same period.

China's reform and opening-up has not only profoundly changed the country but also made significant contributions to the development of the world and humanity. China has been contributing more than 30% to global economic growth for years and has become the largest trade partner of over 120 countries. China has put forward the important vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. The core concept of the vision is that all countries should jointly shape the future of the world, write international rules, manage global affairs and ensure that development outcomes are shared by all, which brings Chinese solutions for global governance and the development of mankind.

Confucius said, A man will have no more doubts at the age of 40. The practice of the past 40 years has strengthened our resolve to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China, to follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to reform and open up even wider and deeper.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year also marks the 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past 5 years, the vision of the Belt and Road Initiative has become a reality and one of the world's most popular public goods. The Belt and Road Initiative and its core concepts, namely the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, have been incorporated into documents of major international organizations such as the United Nations. China has signed 118 Belt and Road cooperation documents with 103 countries and international organizations, among them Lebanon. Lebanon is China's partner to construct the Belt and Road. Exchanges and cooperation between our two countries have been continuously enhanced under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. We hope that the project of the new Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, which is moving ahead steadily, will become a symbol of friendship between our two nations and a model for the Belt and Road cooperation.

Looking ahead, I'm fully confident about the prospects of the win-win cooperation between China and Lebanon. China will continue to support the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as well as the social and economic development of Lebanon, and will continue to actively participate in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Lebanon. We are ready to work with Lebanon to constantly deepen practical cooperation between our two countries, moving the bilateral ties up to a new level.

Wish you have a wonderful time at the reception tonight.

Thank you.