Honorable Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India,

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Namaste!

It is my great pleasure to be with you celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in India, I would like to express warmest welcome to all the guests here, and extend heartfelt gratitude to all the friends for your care and support for China’s development and China-India friendship.

Over the past 75 years, the Chinese people have been pursuing progress, forging ahead with determination on reforms, and striving for modernization. On October 1st 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong solemnly declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Communist Party of China united and led the whole Party and the entire nation, established the socialist system, successfully embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, bringing about the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. The living standard of the Chinese people has witnessed profound changes. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese Modernization. By eliminating absolute poverty, China has built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In 2023, China's GDP was 223 times of that in 1952 with an average annual growth rate of 7.9 percent, contributing over 30 percent to global growth for 10 years in a row. China has established basic medical insurance system covering over 1.3 billion people and Chinese people’s average life expectancy rose to 78.6 years in 2023 from just 35 in 1949. China's GDP grew by 5 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year. The underlying trend of economic rebound and sound long-term trajectory remains unchanged. 

Recently, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held, which drew up a grand blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernization. It sent a clear signal that China is determined to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up. Facts have proven that the Chinese path to modernization is correct. It not only works well, but also has an even broader and brighter prospect.

Over the past 75 years, China has made increasing contributions to world peace, development and human progress. At the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, although our comprehensive strength was relatively weak, China adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, advocated and upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, provided support and assistance for other oppressed nations in seeking liberation, for newly independent countries in their pursuit of development and for various peoples as they put up just struggles. China has made remarkable development achievements, yet it will always be a member of the Global South and the developing world. China will adhere to the path of peaceful development, always stand on the side of peace and fairness, promote the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make important contributions to world peace, security, prosperity and progress. At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation recently, President Xi Jinping proposed the “Ten Partnership Actions” for China-Africa cooperation and announced that the Chinese government will provide 360 billion RMB yuan of financial support in the next three years. It fully demonstrated China’s sincerity in helping and cooperating with developing countries.

Dear friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I was honored to be appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to India on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Since I took office four months ago, I have met with many people from all walks of life in India, listened to their insightful views on China-India relations, and deeply recognized the solid foundation of China-India friendship. I also appreciated the similarities between our two neighbors through Indian people’s desire for national rejuvenation, aspiration for a better life, adherence to traditional values and pursuit for modernization. Recently, I visited Gujarat and relived President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to India 10 years ago, which further strengthened my confidence in the prospects of China-India relations.

Since the beginning of this year, China-India relations have enjoyed the momentum of improvement and development. The two sides maintain high-level communication. Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his reelection. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Mr. Doval. The two countries maintained dialogues on border issues through diplomatic and military channels. China has become India’s largest trading partner. During the first eight months of this year, the bilateral trade volume reached 92.5 billion USD, increased by 4.1%. The personnel exchanges between the two countries have increased. Since last year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in India have issued more than 400,000 visas to the Indian people.

Dear friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

As the two largest developing countries and major emerging economies in the world, the relationship between China and India has transcended bilateral scope and bears regional and global significance. On the basis of the principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual accommodation and mutual accomplishment, we are willing to work with the Indian side to advance bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Firstly, we should follow the right direction and enhance mutual respect and mutual trust. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minster Narandra Modi have reached important consensus that China and India are not rivals or threats to each other, but are partners in cooperation and development opportunities. This provides a clear direction for our bilateral relations. We should firmly implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, correctly view each others development and strategic intentions and mutually accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns. It is normal for neighbors to have differences, the key is how to view and handle them correctly. China and India are two ancient civilizations. I am confident that we have enough wisdom and capability to properly handle the differences and find a solution acceptable to both sides.

Secondly, we should enhance mutually beneficial cooperation for common development and rejuvenation. Both China and India are at a critical stage of national development and rejuvenation. China has put forward the goal to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. India also has the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. China hopes to develop itself well and wishes India the same. China is ready to enhance synergy between our respective development strategies, share experiences of advancing modernization with India and strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology to benefit our two peoples. We also need to promote exchanges between think tanks, media, local governments and youths, so as to consolidate public support for China-India friendship.

Thirdly, we should strengthen multilateral coordination for the benefit of the Global South. Both China and India are important members of the Global South and important forces in a multipolar world. When China and India join hands in cooperation, it will benefit not only the two countries but also the entire Asia and the world at large. China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with India in international and regional affairs, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Together, we promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. The “Dragon-Elephant Tango” will definitely promote the common development and prosperity of the Global South.

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Wind and rain can not affect our journey, and only by steady and earnest actions can we reach far. A stable China-India relationship meets the common aspiration of the two peoples as well as the expectation of the countries in the region. I am confident that under the strategic guidance of two leaders, and with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life, China and India could forge a right path for two neighbouring major countries to coexist in harmony and develop hand in hand.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast:

To the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the common development and prosperity and friendly relationship between China and India,

To the good health of all friends,

Cheers!