Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening!

 

First of all, 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.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, and China has made unprecedented accomplishments in its development.

In the past 70 years, China's GDP has increased by 450 times, growing to be the second largest economy in the world and becoming the largest trading partner of nearly 130 countries and regions. Moreover, since 2013, China has been ranking second in the world in terms of R&D spending.

The past 70 years have seen the average life expectancy in China going up from 35 to 77. Meanwhile, 740 million people are lifted out of poverty, and the world's largest social security system and largest compulsory education system have been established in China. The number of overseas trips by Chinese tourists reaches over 140 million every year.

For 13 consecutive years, China has accounted for more than 30% of total global economic growth. In recent years, the Chinese enterprises' FDI in the countries along the Belt and Road routes amounted to over 90 billion US dollars, creating about 300,000 jobs for host countries. China has also contributed its solution to world peace and development by proposing to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

While all accomplishments belong to the past, what will happen in China in a new era?

China has always remained committed to socialism with Chinese characteristics. We will unswervingly run our own business well, and will always take development as the most important task, striving to achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and of constructing a comprehensively great modern socialist country.

China will adhere to promoting all-round opening up. Being both a "global factory" and a "global market", a more open China will bring new opportunities to the world. All countries, including Lebanon, are welcome to share China's development opportunities.

China will stay committed to peaceful development. We stand ready to work with all countries to pursue win-win cooperation, jointly safeguarding the international order and system, upholding the free trade system, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. Meanwhile, China will resolutely safeguard its own development rights and core interests, and will never allow other countries to meddle in its internal affairs and undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Lebanon is an important partner for China in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. The friendship between China and Lebanon is deep-rooted. China will continue to support the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon, as well as support Lebanon in safeguarding its national security and stability. China is ready to share development experience and concept with Lebanon, promote synergy between Lebanese development plans with China's BRI, and encourage Chinese firms to explore mutually beneficial cooperation in Lebanon. China will continue to provide economic, military and humanitarian assistance to Lebanon within the realm of our ability. China will further step up cultural and educational cooperation between our two countries, and strive to complete the China-aided Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music at an early date. China will continue to actively participate in the UN peacekeeping operations, and will resolutely combat terrorism, so as to create a sound external environment for the peace and development of Lebanon and regional countries at large. We have every reason to believe that with the joint efforts of both countries, the future of friendship between our two countries will be brighter.

Thank you!