On 25 September 2024, the Chinese Embassy in the UK held a reception in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang delivered remarks at the reception. The full text of the remarks is as follows:

Minister Catherine West,

Lords,

MPs,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

Tonight,we are gathered here with joy, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests. Thank you. Thank you most sincerely, for the long-standing support you have given to China, to China-UK relations, and to our Embassy.

75 years ago, the birth of New China marked the end of more than a century of humiliation for the country, and the beginning of the historic process of China’s rejuvenation.

Over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the CPC, Chinese people of all ethnic groups have united as one, and worked diligently to achieve two phenomenal miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. 

In the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has made historic achievements and gone through unprecedented transformation.

We have built a well-off society, and are working towards a great, modern socialist country in all respects. National rejuvenation is now on an irreversible course.

China's composite national strength has achieved historicgrowth. Once a poor country, China is now the world’s second biggest economy, biggest manufacturer and biggest trader in goods, and the country with the biggest foreign exchange reserve. 

Based on constant prices, China’s GDP in 2023 is 223 times larger than that of 1952. The average annual growth rate was 7.9%. 

China has become a scientific and technological powerhouse, and important advancement has been made in the country’s national defense capabilities.

China is home to the world's biggest middle-income group with the best growth potential. We have put in place the world’s biggest medical, educational and social security systems. People’s life quality has seen continuous improvement.

China’s development has been an engine forthe global economy. From 1979 to 2023, China's contribution to global economic growth averaged 24.8% annually, and for the period between 2013 and 2023, the figure was over 30%.

China itself is making remarkable progress in green and low-carbon transition,and is now the world’s biggest clean energy producer. In the meantime, China’s “new three”, namely, new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic productsare enabling other countries to expedite their transition.

As a developing country itself, China feels the desire of other developing countries for modernisation and is actually facilitating the modernisation of the Global South, through the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation. 

By the end of 2023, the investment stock from China in Belt and Road partner countries reached over two trillion RMB.

Chinese companies helped to build Latin America’s first ultra-high-voltage transmission line, and Africa’s first modern electrified railway and first digital mining project, among many other infrastructure and livelihood projects. 

China’s development has injected positive energy into world peace. Following an independent foreign policy of peace, China has been building friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. 

Over the past 75 years, China has never initiated any war or conflict, and has never occupied an inch of other countries’ territory. We have always worked for peace and dialogue, and the political settlement of international disputes. 

China has sent more troops to UN peacekeeping missions than any other permanent members of the Security Council. We are now the second biggest funding contributor to both the UN and its peacekeeping operations.

In the face of increasing volatility and transformation around the world,we call on all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future, and call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universallybeneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.  

We stand ready to work with all parties to earnestly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, to bring about more stability and economic growth to this turbulent world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we speak, the Chinese people are going all out to achieve modernisation through our own path. Daunting as our mission may be, we have full confidence in achieving our goals.

In the next five years, we will complete over 300 reforms and further enhance our institutions invarious sectors, as set out in the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee. 

With these measures, China’s social vitality will be further unleashed, development momentum reinforced, and high-quality development boosted, and new opportunities will be created for China’s cooperation with other countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The United Kingdom was among the first major Western countries to recognise new China. And it has been 52 years now since the two countries established full-fledged diplomatic relations. 

History has taught us a lot about the relations between our two countries.

- Despite differences in political system, history and culture, we have a lot in common and extensive shared interests. 

- Exchanges and cooperation conform to the common aspiration of our two peoples, and serve the fundamental interests of both sides.

- With our respective advantages in economy, education and culture, there are great potentials for collaboration. 

- We can contribute to the resolution of major international issues by working together, and this is also our responsibility as two permanent members of the UNSC. 

Last month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached important common understanding in their phone call. They agreed that we should uphold mutual respect, enhance engagement, and expand cooperation. 

And recently, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Laos, Vice Premier He Lifeng, who leads China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue on the Chinese side, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who leads the dialogue on the British side, talked over the phone, and so did our energy ministers. Our two militaries have just conductedtheir consultations on defense strategies. 

Going forward, we should work together to follow up on the understanding between our leaders, and build a stable and mutuallybeneficial relationship. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

The development of China-UK relations needs the support of people across the sectors from both countries. 

We never forget the “icebreakers” who opened the doors for trade between China and the UK in the 1950s. 

We never forget that generation of statesmen from both countries who made the strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations 52 years ago. 

And we never forget all those who have worked tirelessly to help connect our two peoples over the past seven decades.

All of them continue to give inspiration to us today.

I call on all of you to continue to support and take an active part in China-UK relations, and make new contributions to the steady development of this relationship.

With that, may I invite you to join me in a toast,

To the prosperity of the People's Republic of China,

To the happiness of the Chinese and British people,

To world peace and prosperity, and

To the good health of you all.

Cheers!

Thank you!