29 September 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The day after tomorrow, the Chinese people will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the funding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I would like to take this opportunity to express our cordial greetings and good wishes to the Grenadian Government and people and warm welcome to all the distinguished guests to participate in this reception.

On 1 October 1949, the founding of the new China ended forever the miserable history of foreign invasion and civil war. The Chinese people won independence and liberation and became masters of China. During the last 60 years, especially the last 30 years of adopting the strategy of reform, opening-up and socialist modernization, the Chinese people have relied on its own effort and hard work, and China's national strength has grown remarkably and the people are better off year by year.

60 years ago, China only occupied 1/20^th of the world economy. In 1973, the volume of China's export was less than 1% of the world total. After the reform and opining-up, we have turned a closed or semi-closed society in to a completely open one and make remarkable achievements in all our endeavors. China has integrated to the world quickly. As we concentrated our efforts on economic development, our national capacity has improved significantly. Right now, China becomes the number third in the volume of foreign trade and the Number 1 country in terms of foreign reserves.  During the last 30 years, the average annual growth rate of China was 9.8%, more than three times the world average during the same period.  China's economy now ranks fourth in the world in terms of GDP. By relying on our own efforts, we have been able to provide adequate food to a population of 1.3 billion. In spite of the world financial crisis, we maintained 7.1% of economic growth in the first half of this year and are expected it might reach the goal of 8% for the whole year.

There are many reasons for a country to make achievements. But the most important factor is whether the development path is suitable to its national conditions. Through the past 60 years of pioneering practice and painstaking exploration, we have gained invaluable experience. We attribute all the achievements and progress made over the past 60 years to the following fundamental reason: we have pioneered socialism with Chinese characteristics. We are confident that so long as we stick on this development road, concentrate on construction and development, the social and economic development will gain more accomplishment. China will be even better off tomorrow. China will make more contribution to the world peace and stability.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Hong Kong and Macao returned to the motherland and a high degree of autonomy have been carried out comprehensively. The basic policy of "one country, two systems" has been implemented successfully, which is a significant step toward China's peaceful unification. As for the cross-Straits relations between China's mainland and Taiwan, recent years have seen increasingly frequent exchanges in economy, culture and personnel. Remarkable achievements have been made in the battle against the "Taiwan independence" movement. Prospects for the future of cross-Straits relations are bright.

We have achieved great success. But comparing these achievements with our ambitious goal and the people's expectations, we have no reason to be conceited and self-satisfied. We are soberly aware that China has a population of 1.3 billion. Its total GDP is among highest in the world, but the per capita income is still behind more than 100 countries. The basic reality is China is still in the primary stage of socialism and the situation will remain so for a long time to come has not changed, nor has Chinese society's principle contradiction – the one between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and the low level of social production. China is still a developing country. To achieve China's modernization is a daunting task and we still have a long way to go.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

During the last 60 years, China insists on carrying out the independent and peaceful foreign policy. China has established diplomatic relations with 171 countries, participated more than 100 governmental international organizations and signed more than 300 international treaties. China's future is more closely interconnected with that of the world. A more developed China will make greater contribution to the world and bring more opportunities to the world. We are committed to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening up. We will develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. These principles are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. China has always been and will continue to be a positive force for world peace and common development.

The future and destiny of contemporary China have been closely connected with those of the world. China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, nor can the world enjoy development without China. In the world today, no country that attempts to develop itself with its doors closed is able to succeed. At moment, international financial crisis has serious impact on the world economy, and the many developing countries are in a very difficult situation. We value the friendship with the developing countries and will work together, support to each other and overcome the difficulties together.

As a responsible and major developing country, China has always made common development an important aspect of its foreign policy. We have made great effort to provide support and assistance to other developing countries, and fulfilled our commitment under the UN Millennium Declaration. So far, we have given assistance to more than 120 countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am glad to see that there is further development between our two countries and also glad to here that in his Throne Speech, the Governor-General Sir Carlyle Glean stated that the Grenadian Government will continue to deepen bilateral relations with the People's Republic of China. We have engaged many economic co-operations during last few years, and we have supported each other in the international affairs. From July last year, China has sent several high rank delegations to visit Grenada for the enhancement of further cooperation.  Last June, the PM Honorable Tillman Thomas paid an official visit to China. He had a very good meeting with our Premier and more agreements were signed between our two countries. During this year, 7 young Grenadians have gone to China for study in different universities and 43 participants have taken 28 training programmes in China. There are several delegations, both from the government and private enterprises, which have come to Grenada to explore the potential opportunities for cooperation. Here I would like to announce that, nest month there is a Chinese cultural team coming to Grenada with acrobatic and magic performances. We are now discussing with the Ministry of Culture of Grenada for the detail arrangement. We have agricultural project in La Sagesse. We have Chinese medical team in the General Hospital. And we will begin the housing project very soon. We will provide with some agricultural machines to Grenadian Government. I am confident that the cooperation between our two countries will be broadened and deepened in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Finally, I would like to propose a toast to the prosperity and development of China and Grenada, to the friendship between our two countries and to the health of all the guests presented here today.

Cheers.