We mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, soon after our recent celebration of the centenary of the Communist Party of China. On this occasion, I would like to extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to all the Chinese living in Denmark! Let us wish our great motherland prosperity and strength and our people happiness and well-being! I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to those Danish friends who care about and support China's development and China-Denmark relations.

In the past 72 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have braved hardships, made unremitting efforts and successfully blazed a trail of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China's national strength and international influence have grown greatly and the Chinese people's living standards significantly improved. The gross domestic product has increased from 30 billion U.S. dollars at the beginning of the People's Republic of China to 14.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020. Today's China is the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial country, and the largest trading country in goods. At the same time, the per capita gross national income has increased from only tens of US dollars to more than 10,000 US dollars. China has leapt from a low-income country to a low- and middle-income country, and then to a middle- and high-income country. The Chinese people have accomplished the arduous task of eradicating absolute poverty and now enjoy a thriving life. The dream of a well-off society has finally come true at the time of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has taken a leading role both in the prevention and control of the virus and the recovery of economic and social development. China is the only major economy that achieved positive growth in 2020. We will continue to consolidate the good progress and make even speedier economic and social recovery.

China's development brings benefit not only to the Chinese people, but also the whole world. China has contributed more than 30% to the world economic growth for more than 10 consecutive years, and over 70% to global poverty reduction. Having provided nearly 1.2 billion doses of vaccine and concentrate to more than 100 countries and international organizations, China is making its contribution to mankind's ultimate victory over the pandemic. We are now working hard for the goal of providing 2 billion doses of vaccine to the world by the end of this year. China has always been a promoter of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of international order and a provider of public goods. As the world is facing increasing global challenges and their combined impacts unseen in a century as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, China will continue to work with other countries

- to overcome the pandemic,

- to achieve common development with other countries by expanding the all-round opening up to the world and sharing development opportunities,

- to address the challenge of climate change, and to jointly achieve sustainable development,

- to firmly uphold true multilateralism, honor the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

China and Denmark established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2008. The two countries have a wide range of common interests. Friendship and cooperation should always be the mainstream of our bilateral relations. China's development is an opportunity rather than a threat to Denmark, and the practical cooperation between us has great potential and broad prospects. What is important to our relationship is mutual respect, consensus and mutual trust. China and Denmark should actively expand practical cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, science and technology, education and Arctic affairs, and also cultural and personnel exchanges, etc. All this will bring more tangible benefits to our peoples. I hope and believe that with the joint efforts of the two sides, China-Denmark relations can move forward on the right track, bear new fruits and continue to serve the interests of the peoples of both countries.