Your Excellency Permanent Secretary of Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Morten Niels Jakobsen,
State Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mme. Lisbet Zilmer-Johns,
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Mr. Brian Wessel,
Former Speaker of the Danish Parliament and former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Mogens Lykketoft,
Excellencies from Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations,
All my Chinese compatriots in Denmark,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon! Today we gather together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese embassy, I would like to extend my warm welcome to you all. I hope to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all the friends who have long supported China’s development and China-Denmark friendship. I would also like to express my best wishes to all the Chinese compatriots both in China and Denmark on this festive occasion. Happy National Day!
Over the past 75 years, since the founding of New China in 1949, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have worked hard with remarkable achievements. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of CPC with President Xi Jinping at its core, the party and the country have made historic achievements and undergone historic changes in all undertakings. Today, China is making great strides on the path of Chinese modernization.
Over the past 75 years, China's economy has achieved a great leap in both quantity and quality. China has now become the world's second largest economy. For many years, China has been the largest engine for world economic growth, contributing more than 30% to the world economic growth on average. In 2023, China’s GDP accounts for 17% of the world’s total. China ranks 12th in the Global Innovation Index 2023.
Over the past 75 years, the living standards of the Chinese people have continued to improve. China has successfully lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty and built the world's largest education system, social security system, and medical and health system. In the process of solidly promoting common prosperity, China's ecological and environmental protection has undergone a historic turnaround with wide-ranging implications. In 2023, the installed capacity of renewable energy power generation exceeded 50% of the country's total installed capacity of power generation. By the end of June this year, China's new energy vehicle ownership has reached 24.72 million. More than half of the world's NEVs are running in China.
Over the past 75 years, the building of market system and open economy has achieved positive results. China has become a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and has signed cooperation documents on jointly building the "Belt and Road" with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations. In the first half of this year, China's GDP grew by 5% year-on-year. With a super-large market, a complete industrial system and a good business environment, we are confident that we can achieve the annual growth target of around 5%.
China is further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. At the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee held two months ago, more than 300 reform measures were put forward. It was a strong signal to the world that China will unswervingly uphold the banner of reform and opening up.
A few days ago, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Chair of the Board of A.P. Moller - Maersk, Mr. Robert Maersk Uggla in Beijing. Mr. Han Zheng emphasized that China will further expand high-standard opening up, and foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. The Chinese side welcomes international enterprises like Maersk, to deepen cooperation with and achieve greater success in China.
In November, the 7th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai. Hosting the CIIE is a major move by China to actively open its market to the outside world. We welcome companies from all countries, including Denmark, to participate.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China adheres to the path of peaceful development. At the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese leaders put forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, namely, 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. These principles have since been widely recognized and observed by the international community.
China has always firmly upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and has put forward the important concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. China believes in an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China’s modernization not only benefits its own people, but also brings peace, development, and prosperity for the whole world.
China has committed to helping solve global hot-spot issues. China facilitated the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year, mediated dialogue among 14 Palestinian factions this year, and reached a six-point consensus with Brazil on the Ukraine crisis. China firmly stands on the side of peaceful dialogue by upholding fairness and justice.
In early September, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held. President Xi Jinping proposed that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic relations with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations, the overall characterization of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. China will work with Africa to take ten partnership actions for modernization, including connectivity, green development, agriculture and livelihoods, etc.
China is glad to see that more and more countries are now turning their attention to Africa, offering support and assistance. China is ready to work with all countries to build international synergy in cooperation with Africa, and bring visible and tangible benefits to our African friends.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Denmark is one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. The government of Denmark has consistently adhered to the one-China policy, which is highly appreciated by the Chinese side. China has always regarded Denmark as a good friend and a good partner. At present, China-Denmark relations are maintaining a good momentum of growth, with close exchanges and interactions at various levels and in various fields. Last year, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and four other ministers visited China. Our two governments jointly launched the Green Joint Work Programme 2023-2026, further strengthening cooperation in the areas such as climate, environment, maritime affairs, agriculture, tourism, health, etc. This year, the China-Denmark Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation was held in Copenhagen. The bilateral trade volume in the first half of the year increased by 8%.
Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen had a fruitful meeting during the UN General Assembly. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Denmark is China's only comprehensive strategic partner among Nordic countries. Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark. We hope to jointly celebrate this important year, and inject new impetus into bilateral relations. China welcomes Denmark’s non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination, and jointly contribute to world peace and security.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China is committed to the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Denmark and other European countries in green transformation.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also announced a good news, that is --- China has decided to implement a visa-free policy for Denmark. We welcome more Danish friends to visit China, and explore China.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am greatly honored to be appointed by President Xi Jinping as the 20th Chinese Ambassador to Denmark. I am deeply aware of the important responsibilities of this glorious mission. In the past 2 months, I have met people from different walks of life in Denmark, heard beautiful stories of China-Denmark friendship, and received many suggestions on further developing our bilateral relations. I have learned a lot and I’m grateful to you all.
There is a Chinese saying, “United, we’ll be as solid as a fortress.” A similar Danish proverb goes, “Many hands make the work easy.”
I sincerely hope to get more support from you, both for myself and the Chinese Embassy in Denmark. I am ready to work with all our Danish friends to jointly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, enhance the friendship between our two peoples, and build up China-Denmark relations to a new height.
To conclude my remarks, I’d like to propose a toast,
To the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,
To the friendship and cooperation between China and Denmark,
To jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.
And to the health of all the distinguished guests present,
Cheers!