Your Excellency Mr. Foreign Minister,
Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to thiscelebration ofthe 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Seventy years ago,the People's Republic of China was born. The Chinese people put an end to over 100 years of humiliation, turmoil and war and began a new journey on the road of national development.
The past seven decades witnessed China's historical rise. China has stood up and become prosperous and strong.
Over the past 70 years, tremendous achievements have been made in China. The total grain output has risen almost five-fold. We now feed1.4 billion people, nearly 20% of the world population with less than 9% of world's arableland.
Hunger, that had haunted China for thousands of years, no longer exists. This is a great feat in itself and also a huge contribution to mankind.
Moreover, China has lifted more than 850 million people out of poverty.China is the first developing country to realize the UN Millennium Development Goal for poverty reduction.
Great progress has also been made in environmental protection. In 2018, more than 1.2 million electric vehicles were sold in China, far more than in any other country. China's CO2 emissions perunit of GDP dropped by 45% from the 2005 level, or a reduction of 5.2 billion tons of emissions.From the year 2005, forest stock increased by over 4 billion cubic meters, a quarter of the global total, thanks to our afforestation efforts since 2000.
Today's Chinais the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial manufacturing country, and the largest trader in goods, contributing to over 30% of the global growth.
The Chinese economy is now shifting from high-speed to high-quality growth, the mid-income population has reached 400 million, the market unleashes great potentialconstantly, andthe investment environment keeps improving.
China has started a new round of opening up. Its door will not shut but will open even wider.
The past 70 years were not always smooth sailing. There were detours and setbacks. But we have overcome the difficulties and scored proud achievements. The reason of our success is thatwe have found a development path suitable to our own conditions. China has beencompletely transformed. This is a miracle never seen in history andcan only be made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
Second, the reform and opening-up is crucial for China to catch up with the times and a game-changer in making China what it is today.
Third, it is the Chinese people who have built the country brick by brick withtheir own hands and brought aboutthe progress and development in our country.
Despite our big advancement, China remains a developing country. We have got problems, and we face many challenges.
In 2018, China's GDP was about 13 trillion USD, but the per capita GDP is only around 10,000 USD. Development isuneven. There are still rich and poor and regional differences.
Besides, we need to do more to tackle pollution as we have realized we cannot pursue GDP growth at the expense of the environment because clear rivers and green mountains are invaluable assets.
If someone asks, will China become a hegemonic power when it develops? The answer is NO. Since ancient times, Chinese culture has advocated harmony in diversity.Expansionism and hegemonism are not in our DNA. The Chinese people believe in harmony, cooperation and inclusiveness and aspire to build a peaceful world for all. In fact, China's development is also a process of integration with the world. China is always committed to the path of peaceful development and will never seek domination and sphere of influence. The Belt and Road Initiativeput forward by President Xi Jinping has made big contribution to the world by sharing the fruits of China's development with other countries. Itis not meant to be a solo by China, but a chorusby many countries.
China is now the second largest contributor to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping assessment. China has sent 39,000 peacekeeping military personnel to UN missions, and is currently the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the Security Council. China is well aware that as it develops further, it also shoulders more responsibilities. China will as always fulfill its international obligations and be a builder and defender of world peace.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Next year we will celebrateanother 70th anniversary, that of the China-Denmark diplomatic relations. Over the years, our bilateral relations have boasted many "firsts".Denmark was one of the first western countries to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first and only Nordiccountry to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Her Majesty the Queen wasthe first western head of stateto visit China after the start of China'sreform and opening up.This pioneering spirit is what we still need to enhance and enrich our comprehensive strategic partnership.
In the past four months, I have met many Danish politicians, government officials and business leaders. I am encouraged by their enthusiasm for developing relations with China. From what I have seen and heard, I am convinced that our bilateral relations do have a solid foundation and are strong.
Indeed, China and Denmark have broad common interests in supporting free trade and multilateralism and opposing protectionism. We also have similar views on climate change and sustainable development goals. There is a great potential and wide space for us to expand our cooperation.
Let's join hands to strengthen China-Denmark relations for the benefits of both our peoples and to contribute to world peace and prosperity.
May the People's Republic of China enjoy prosperity!
May the Chinese people enjoy happiness!
May China-Demark relations make greater progress!