(Stockholm, 30 September 2014)
Your Excellency Mr. Frank Belfrage,
Excellences,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, the warmest welcome to all the friends attending today's reception and the thanks for the strong support you have given to China-Sweden relations and to Chinese Embassy over the past years.
We are gathering here to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, to commemorate 65 years of unremitting endeavor in improving Chinese people's welfare. In 5000 years of Chinese civilization, these short but glorious 65 years have inspired me to the following reflections:
First, strong economic development lays the foundation for promoting people's welfare.
Over the 65 years, China's economic size has increased by 110 times, grown from one twentieth of the world's total to nearly one eighth, per capita income increased by 230 times.
Despite the intricate global economic environment and growing downward pressure on Chinese economy, we have continued to make progress while maintaining stability, vigorously promoting reform and economic readjustment. As a result, we have maintained steady economic performance. The Chinese economy registered a 7.4 percent growth, and CPI rise was kept at 2.3 percent. The surveyed unemployment rate was kept at 5 percent in 31 big and medium-sized cities.
These strong data indicates promising progress in the efforts of upgrading the Chinese economy and improving its performance. We have every reason to be confident in its future.
In the next five years, China is expected to import 10 trillion US dollars of goods, invest over 500 billion US dollars overseas and send over 500 million tourists abroad. China will give strong impetus to the prosperity and development of the world economy.
Second, a peaceful international environment is the precondition to improve people's welfare. Time and time again, history has proven that buds of prosperity are doomed to wither without sunshine of peace. China is determined to blaze a new path of peaceful development for major countries, China will pursue its development by seeking a peaceful international environment while safeguarding and promoting world peace.
We adhere to the principle that disputes should be solved peacefully through political dialogue and consultation. We support and encourage all conflicting parties to act in the fundamental interests of their countries and the larger interests of regional peace and stability, carry out inclusive dialogues to achieve political reconciliation and economic reconstruction. We have benefited from peace and stability, and we are determined to safeguard them, too.
Third, mutually beneficial cooperation between countries provides strong support for improving people's welfare. Both China and Sweden are blessed with unlimited innovative vitality, great high-tech potential and high-end manufacturing capacity. China is in the course of transformation from "Made in China" to "Created in China", China's development is becoming more and more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
All these offer boundless business opportunities for Sweden, a country of innovation and high tech, and for our bilateral relations. We have no reason to miss them. If the two countries join hand in building a new century of green development, we definitely can once again show the world our glory as the starting point and a crutial stop of the ancient silk road.
Today is the opening day of the new Swedish parliament. I would like to congratulate newly elected MPs and it is a pity that they cannot join us today. I hope that politicians will cast more votes of confidence to the China-Sweden relations, businessmen will buy mutually more stocks to make more profits, travelers will buy more return tickets, and the public of both countries will buy more tickets to enjoy the art.
Now I hand out ballots to you and kindly invite you to vote for the photos exhibition in this house. These are modest works of our diplomats. As fairly amateur, we wish to showcase Sweden, a county of beauty and happiness, measured by our feet, discovered by our eyes and touched by our hearts. They embody our inspirations for an even better future of the China-Sweden friendship.
Thank you.
