Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Greetings!
On the occasion of celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on behalf of the Mission of China to the African Union, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the friends participating in this online celebration, and a heartfelt gratitude to those who have long cared for and supported China’s development and China-Africa friendship!
In 2022, China is marching in confident strides on a new journey of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and towards the second centenary goal. Faced with the complicated and severe international political and economic situation, and the lingering “pandemic unseen in a century”, China made overall plans to promote pandemic prevention and control as well as economic and social development, vigorously responded to various challenges and the economy has registered a stable performance. In the first half of the year, China’s GDP reached 56.3 trillion yuan. Under the strong leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China accelerates to build a new development pattern, continues the trend of high-quality development. The fusion of innovation chain and the industrial chain is speeding up. As the world’s second largest economy, the largest country of goods-trading and foreign exchange reserves, China has provided a strong impetus for the stabilization and recovery of the world economy as well as broader market opportunities for all countries. We will continue to work hard and make unremitting efforts towards the goal of building a strong modern socialist country in an all-round way and the realization of the Chinese Dream of great national rejuvenation!
In 2022, the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has been pushed forward comprehensively, injecting new impetus into world peace and prosperity. The Beijing Winter Olympics were successfully held and aroused worldwide attention. Boao Forum for Asia sent a strong message of the times. The BRICS Summit gathered strength of developing countries. Following the Global Development Initiative, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Security Initiative to contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to world peace and development. In the face of repeated protraction of the COVID-19, China has provided anti-epidemic material assistance and procurement convenience to more than 200 countries and regions, including more than 2.2 billion doses of Covid vaccines. We take a clear stand against unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism, safeguard and practice true multilateralism, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, and firmly safeguard international fairness and justice. The vast number of developing countries, including African countries, firmly adhere to the one-China policy and support China’s core interests concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, etc..
In 2022, China and Africa work together for common development and accelerate the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Africa have always supported each other firmly on issues concerning each other’s core concerns and major interests. This year, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 35th African Union Assembly and exchanged congratulatory messages with Chairperson of the African Union and Senegalese President Macky Sall on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-AU diplomatic relations, demonstrating the high degree of political mutual trust between China and Africa. With the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC, China-Africa friendship has been deepened, new growth and opportunities for practical cooperation have emerged, and cooperation in peace and security is steadily expanding. China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 years in a row. More than 1100 cooperation projects in Africa are well underway, contributing to Africa’s steady recovery. China and Africa have become a model of global solidarity in fighting the pandemic, with annual production capacity of about 400 million doses of vaccine in localized cooperation. The project of the China-aided Africa CDC headquarters will be delivered early next year. China signed with the AU the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Plan and established a coordination mechanism, actively supports the building of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and promotes China-AU cooperation in infrastructure, energy partnership, digital economy, capacity building, agriculture and other areas. In early September, China and the African Union Commission successfully co-organized the Talk with Taikonauts event, during which Chinese astronauts connected with African youth from outer space for the first time, demonstrating the firm will of China and Africa to jointly reach new heights in science and technology.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
The Communist Party of China will soon hold its 20th National Congress, which will draw a grand blueprint for China’s development in the next stage. On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the African Union is also embracing new opportunities for development. Standing at a new starting point, we are ready to work closely with the AU side to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the African Union, give full play to the leading role of China-AU cooperation, carry forward the China-Africa traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation across the board, and make new contributions to the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
May the People’s Republic of China enjoy greater prosperity! Long live the friendship between China and Africa!
Thank you.