(Chinese Embassy in London, 22 September 2014)

Compatriots, Students and Comrades,

Tonight, we are joyfully gathered here to celebrate the 65th birthday of our great motherland. I hereby extend, to you and through you to all the Chinese compatriots and students in the UK, my seasonal greetings!

The People’s Republic of China was founded 65 years ago. Widely recognized as the “New China”, the young Republic has since risen among the nations of the world. After 65 years of spectacular development, we have added new meanings to the word “new” that make us proud: the world’s largest trading entity, the second largest economy, the third largest investors, the socialist road, theory and system with Chinese characteristics, a more mature socialist market economy and rising global influence. What used to be the dreams of our forefathers now becomes a reality. Today, the 1.3 billion Chinese people are making enthusiastic and unremitting efforts to achieve the two centenary goals and realise the Chinese dream of the great revitalization of the Chinese nation.

In the past year, China has met difficulties head on and made strides in achieving four “upgrades”.

First, an upgraded version of China’s reforms. Currently, China’s reform has entered a stage where critical problems need to be addressed and situation remains complicated. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee made important arrangements for the comprehensive deepening of reform and set overall objectives for the new round of reform: improving and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and working hard to bring national governance and governance capacity up to date. Covering the five main areas of politics, economy, culture, society and ecological civilisation, the roadmap for the comprehensive deepening of reform formulated at the meeting involves 15 aspects, over 60 areas and more than 300 important measures. Now we are making steady progress in implementing these measures. I believe that, under the Party Central Committee’s overall planning, coordination and with all Chinese people contributing a share, China’s comprehensive and deeper reform will score new historic achievements!

Second, an upgraded version of China’s economy. Faced with complex world economic situation and increased downward pressure on our economy, the Chinese government has steered the economy forward. We have taken coordinated approach to stabilise growth, facilitate reform, adjust structures and advance people’s wellbeing at the same time. We have focused on scientific overall planning, innovation and restructuring to advance reforms, let the market play its role and paid more attention to achieving more targeted macroeconomic regulation, economic transition and a new situation in China’s economy. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 7.4% year-on-year. From January to August, over 10 million new jobs were created in urban areas. The Chinese economy maintained steady growth with a higher quality. In particular, the Chinese government is working hard to reform the administrative approval system and lower market access requirements to encourage innovation, business startups and increase support for the real economy, emerging industries and emerging business modes. I believe this will provide great opportunities to China’s overseas students to bring your talent into full play, realise your dreams and contribute to the motherland.

Third, an upgraded version of China’s diplomacy. The current international situation remains complex and fluid. While inheriting New China’s diplomatic traditions and fundamental principles, China’s diplomacy has constantly made new breakthroughs in making active plans, blazing new trails and becoming more proactive. By combining the Chinese dream of national revitalization and the world dream in maintaining world peace and development, we have demonstrated China’s resolve and policies of taking a path of peaceful development. We have proposed to create a new model of major-country relationship of non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation and advance a neighbourhood policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We have insisted on bringing the pursuit of interest in line with promoting relations with others and winning more understanding and appeal for China’s diplomacy. We have deepened traditional friendship with developing countries, pressed ahead with the initiative to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, spoke on multilateral international platforms and firmly upheld international justice. We have also effectively curbed the illegal acts of a small number of countries that infringed upon our territorial sovereignty and marine rights and interests. We do not create troubles, nor are we are afraid of troubles. We will not bully others, nor will we compromise in front of bullying. New measures have been adopted in conducting diplomacy for the people. We have strengthened consular services and protection, implemented programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of overseas Chinese, provided better services to Chinese enterprises and citizens going abroad and maintained the rights and interests of the overseas Chinese and nationals. As a part of the programme that brings benefits, interests and convenience to our citizens, we have launched the Global Emergency Call Centre for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September, which helps us offer all-round consular protection services for overseas nationals. Please keep in mind that the 24-hour hotline number of the Call Centre is “12308”. It can be remembered in Chinese as “keep going, consular protection”.

Fourth, an upgraded version of China-UK relations. In the past year, China-UK relations have grown from strength to strength. With frequent exchange of high-level visits, the political mutual trust between the two sides is strengthened and the exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been expanding. At the end of last year, Prime Minister David Cameron visited China, putting bilateral relations back on the track. This year, Premier Li Keqiang paid a successful visit to the UK. During the visit, the two sides signed more than 30 inter-government and commercial agreements involving a number of sectors such as energy, investment, culture, education, hi-tech and finance. The total sum of these agreements amounts to a record of more than USD 30 billion. Not long ago, Vice Premier Ma Kai came to chair the Sixth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in the UK. During the dialogue, the two sides attained 73 pragmatic results, setting another record for such dialogue. New progress has been made in China-UK Strategic Dialogue and the High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange. I believe that with the concerted efforts of the governments and peoples, with the participation of overseas Chinese and students in the UK, China-UK partnership of common growth and inclusive development will maintain a strong momentum of development, and the cooperation between the two countries will bear more fruits and bring more benefit to the peoples!

Compatriots, students and comrades,

This motherland is never short of beautiful sceneries. Today, new landscape is being scaled in the motherland. The Chinese nation is now beaming with vigor and vitality. We have every reason to feel proud. Meanwhile, we share a common responsibility in the destiny of our country. Let us join hands and unite as one to make the two centenary goals and the great Chinese dream a reality.

In conclusion, I wish to propose a toast:

- To the prosperity of our great motherland!

- To the taking-off of the Chinese nation!

Cheers!