Dear friends in New South Wales,
Members of the Chinese community,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to have you all online to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Over the past 72 years, the Chinese people have cemented an extraordinary course of history and China has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development.
- China has become the second largest economy and the largest trading country in the world, with an economy exceeding 100 trillion yuan.
- China has become the largest trading partner of more than 130 countries and regions, contributing around 30% annually to world economic growth for many years.
- China has accomplished its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and completed the elimination of absolute poverty. By lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty, China reached the poverty alleviation goal of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule.
- China has made coordinated efforts to advance both the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic and the economic and social development. China's economy expanded 12.7% year on year in the first half of 2021 and is projected to grow at 8.5% on a yearly basis according to the World Bank.
- China has actively participated in international affairs as a responsible major country. It has vigorously promoted international cooperation on the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic and provided 770 million doses of Chinese vaccines to more than 100 countries and international organizations. China aims to have CO2 emissions peak in less than 10 years and achieve carbon neutrality in less than 30 years, demonstrating its greatest determination to cope with climate change.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China's great achievements are fundamentally attributed to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China.
The year 2021 marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Over the past 100 years, the Communist Party of China has grown from a small party of about 50 members to the world's largest ruling party of over 95 million members and accomplished the miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. The journey over the century proves that the Communist Party of China's leadership is the choice of history and of the people, as well as the essential guarantee for China's continuing prosperity and stability.
Today, China is embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in a comprehensive way. It will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, adhere to developing friendship and cooperation with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and promote a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. China's sustained development will bring more opportunities for cooperation to the whole world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since China and Australia established diplomatic ties about 50 years ago, the overall bilateral relations have made continuous progress despite ups and downs. History has proven that the two countries share more common interests rather than divergence, while cooperation should be the only correct choice. To advance the bilateral relations in a healthy and stable way not only serves the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also meets the prevailing expectation of all sectors of our two societies.
Over the years, the State of New South Wales has been playing an important role in China-Australia relations. It has maintained close cooperation with its Chinese counterpart provinces and cities in areas of economy, trade, education and culture, etc., which has brought tangible benefits to both peoples. When fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak, the two sides have maintained committed to rendering support to each other. We sincerely hope that the people of NSW will get on top of the epidemic and resume normal life and work soon.
This year, NSW and its sister province of China's Guangdong will hold the 28th joint economic meeting, and Sydney and Guangzhou are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their sister city relations. The Chinese Consulate General in Sydney will strengthen communications with our friends in NSW, and jointly promote exchanges and cooperation between China and NSW in various fields, with a view to bringing more benefits to our two peoples and injecting more positive energy into the development of China-Australia relations.
Since last year, the Chinese community in NSW has actively supported the fight against COVID-19 both in China and here in Australia, and continued to contribute to the friendship between our two peoples. The Consulate General will adhere to the principles of Putting People First and Diplomacy for the People, and continue to provide quality consular services for Chinese citizens, Chinese companies and organizations and Chinese students in NSW. We will do our best to protect your well-being, safety and legitimate rights and interests.
To conclude, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those friends who have long advocated and supported the friendly relations between China and NSW.
May our great motherland be prosperous and strong, and the Chinese people be happy and healthy!
May the friendship between the Chinese and Australian peoples continue to deepen!
Thank you.