Speech by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Reception Marking the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

Minister Brandon Lewis,

Ambassador Khaled Al-Duwaisan,

My Lords and MPs,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

尊敬的英国不管部大臣兼保守党主席刘易斯阁下，

尊敬的驻英使团长、科威特驻英大使哈立德·杜维森阁下，

尊敬的各位议员，

尊敬的各位使节，

女士们、先生们：

A very warm welcome to all of you. It is a pleasure to have you with us to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China!

Today is a special day. On this day 69 years ago, “March of the Volunteers” was adopted as the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. The lyrics have this line:

“Now comes the most challenging time for the Chinese nation.”

This line never fails to strike a chord with every Chinese and evoke a strong love for the motherland.

In time of life and death for the Chinese nation, this anthem had encouraged the Chinese people to strive relentlessly for national independence. In time of peace, this anthem reminds us to be always prepared to take on challenges. This anthem demonstrates the determination of the Chinese people to stay united against hardship and stand for peace.

It is in this spirit that for 69 years, especially 40 years since the reform and opening up, the Chinese people have stood side by side, conquered various difficulties and achieved brilliant progress in our national development and rejuvenation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. Thanks to 40 years of persistent efforts, China has achieved the great leap from getting on its feet to becoming prosperous and strong. In this process, the relations between China and the world have also experienced historic and fundamental changes.

热烈欢迎各位出席今天的招待会，与我们共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年。

今天是一个特殊的日子。69年前的今天，中华人民共和国国歌诞生了，其中一句“中华民族到了最危险的时候”令人热血沸腾、心潮澎湃，唤起了每一个中华儿女内心深处的家国情怀。在中华民族生死存亡的关头，这首歌曾激励中国人民百折不挠争取民族独立。在和平建设年代，这首歌寓意居安思危、安不忘危，彰显了中国人民共克时艰、坚守和平的决心。正是在这种精神鼓舞下，69年来，特别是改革开放40年来，中国人民团结奋斗、攻坚克难，开创了国家建设和民族振兴事业的新辉煌。

今年是中国改革开放40周年。经过40年砥砺奋进，中国实现了从站起来到富起来、强起来的伟大飞跃，中国与世界关系也发生了历史性、根本性的深刻变化。

Reform and opening up have mapped out a new journey for China’s national rejuvenation.

Forty years of reform and opening up have created the breathtaking “China miracle”:

Once the 13th largest economy, China is now the number two in the world.
Our GDP has increased by 56 times.
We have lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, contributing to more than 70% of the world’s total poverty reduction.
And we have built the world’s largest networks of social security and compulsory education.

These achievements are attributable to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, to the development path that suits China’s national conditions, and to the hard efforts of the Chinese people. These achievements are not accomplished by “stealing” wealth or technology from any country.

Today, the Chinese people are striding proudly towards the goal of building a moderately prosperous society and a great modern socialist country in all respects.

改革开放开启了中华民族伟大复兴的新征程。40年的改革开放创造了令世界惊叹的“中国奇迹”：中国从世界第13大经济体跃升至世界第二，GDP增长56倍，7亿多人成功脱贫，占同期全球减贫人口70%以上，建成世界上最大社会保障网和义务教育网。中国今天取得的成就，靠的是中国共产党的坚强领导，靠的是中国找到了一条适合本国国情的发展道路，靠的是中国人民用勤劳的双手苦干加实干，而不是靠所谓“偷窃”谁的财富、“盗取”谁的技术。今天，中国人民正昂首阔步，向着全面建成小康社会、全面建设社会主义现代化强国的目标迈进。

Reform and opening up have opened up a new prospect for socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In the past 40 years, with a creative spirit and concrete steps, China has blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics based on its national conditions.

We uphold the unity of Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance.
Our overall plan is to promote the integrated development in five spheres including the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological areas.
Our overall strategy is four-pronged, namely
- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects,
- deepening reform on all fronts,
- advancing law-based governance
- and strengthening the self-governance of the Party.

The Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was adopted at the 19th Party Congress. This has been an important theoretical innovation of Marxism.

Facts have shown that China has chosen the right path. It is a path that has led us to achieve great progress. It is a path that we will continue to follow.

改革开放开辟了中国特色社会主义的新天地。40年来，中国立足国情，解放思想，实事求是，成功走出一条中国特色社会主义道路。我们坚持中国共产党领导与人民当家作主、依法治国有机统一，统筹推进“五位一体”总体布局，协调推进“四个全面”战略布局。中共十九大确立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，开辟了马克思主义理论创新新境界。实践证明，中国的这条路，走得通、走得对、走得好，并将继续走下去。

Reform and opening up have written a new chapter of a China that embraces the world.

In the past 40 years, China has kept its door open to the world. This has led to increasing integration between China and the world. At the same time, China has been under more profound influence from the world.

In 2001, China became a member of the WTO. In the 17 years since then, China made remarkable contribution to world economy and trade.

It is now the largest trading partner of more than 120 countries.
It has contributed over 30% of the world’s economic growth for many years.
It has become a stabiliser and powerhouse for world economic growth.

Going forward, China will continue to embrace the world with open arms. It will continue to safeguard world peace, contribute to global growth and uphold the international order.

改革开放书写了中国拥抱世界的新篇章。40年来，中国始终坚持对外开放，打开国门搞建设。中国对世界的融入和世界对中国的影响都在不断加深。中国加入世界贸易组织17年来为国际经济贸易发展作出突出贡献，已经成为120多个国家的最大贸易伙伴，对世界经济贡献率连年超过30%，成为全球增长的稳定器和助力源。中国将继续敞开胸襟、拥抱世界，坚持做世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者。

Reform and opening up are creating new opportunities for the development of China and the world for many years to come.

After 40 years of reform and opening up, China’s development has become more resilient and sustainable. China will continue to be a powerhouse for sustained growth in the world.

Since early this year, China has announced a number of important measures of further opening up. In the next 15 years, China is expected to

import $24 trillion of goods,
open up a $2 trillion market to foreign investment,
and make $2 trillion of investment overseas.
Chinese tourists are expected to make more than 200 million outbound visits.

All these will mean huge opportunities to all countries in the world.

China will continue to hold high the banner of inclusive and win-win cooperation.
We will uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance.
And we will take the lead in the new round of economic globalisation through cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Our goal is to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

改革开放创造了中国与世界未来发展的新机遇。40年来，中国不仅增强了自身发展的韧性和可持续性，也将为世界经济增长提供持久动力。今年以来，中方宣布了一系列扩大开放重大举措。未来15年，中国预计将进口24万亿美元商品，吸引2万亿美元境外直接投资，对外投资达到2万亿美元，出境旅游超过20亿人次，这些对世界各国都是巨大利好。中国继续高举开放合作、互利共赢的旗帜，秉持共商共建共享的全球治理观，以“一带一路”合作引领新一轮经济全球化，推动构建新型国际关系、构建人类命运共同体。

Ladies and Gentlemen:

女士们、先生们，

In the past 69 years since the founding of New China, China-UK relations have withstood all weather and conquered various difficulties. Our relationship is now in a new stage of development.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to the UK, which ushered in the China-UK “Golden Era”. Since then, our two countries have created many “first’s” in our cooperation across the board. Such cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the people of our two countries. Today at the reception, some Chinese companies are displaying the benefits and achievements of their investments and operations in the UK. This is the best epitome of the China-UK “Golden Era”.

The world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century. China and the UK are both at a critical stage of development. There is huge potential for further cooperation across the board between our two countries. To tap this potential, we need to match China’s policy of deeper reform and further opening up with the UK’s effort of building a “global Britain”.

China and the UK have every reason to keep up the momentum of the steady and sustained development of the China-UK “Golden Era”. To do this, our two countries should uphold three principles.

新中国成立69年来，中英关系沐风栉雨、爬坡过坎，步入了发展新阶段。2015年，习近平主席成功访英，开启了中英关系“黄金时代”。中英各领域务实合作不断开创诸多“第一”，给两国人民带来实实在在的好处。今天，在英中资企业在国庆招待会上展示他们投资兴业取得的成绩，就是中英关系“黄金时代”的最好缩影。

当今世界正面临百年未有之大变局，中英两国也处于各自发展的关键阶段。中国深化改革开放与英打造“全球化英国”相互契合，将为两国各领域合作创造更广阔空间。我认为，要推动中英关系“黄金时代”行稳致远，双方要牢牢把握“三个坚持”：

The first principle is mutual respect and mutual trust. This is important in building the “Golden Era”.

In advancing the China-UK relations, the two sides should adopt a long-term and strategic view. We need to put our relations in the larger picture of building a new-type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

It is important that we

respect each other’s core interests and major concerns;
respect each other’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity;
view each other’s development as opportunities rather than threats;
never harm each other’s core interests or undermine our strategic trust;
and handle our differences properly.

This will enable us to keep the China-UK relations on the right track.

一是坚持互尊互信，坚定“黄金时代”大方向。双方应始终以长远和战略眼光，从构建新型国际关系和人类命运共同体的大视野、大格局来推进中英关系；始终尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切，尊重彼此国家主权和领土完整，视彼此发展为机遇而非挑战或威胁，不做损害对方核心利益和破坏双方战略互信的事，妥善处理分歧，确保中英关系始终沿着正确的轨道前行。

The second principle is mutual benefit. This is important in gathering new impetus for common development.

China and the UK should match our development strategies. We can deepen cooperation in traditional areas and explore cooperation on new industries and new models. In particular, high-standard and high-quality cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative will help translate our complementary advantages and development opportunities into concrete outcomes.

Next year, China will host second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. This will be a new opportunity for the two countries to elevate our cooperation onto a new stage.

We also look forward to a strong UK representation as a Country of Honour at the first-ever China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5th. It will be a good opportunity to introduce the British products and services to the Chinese market.

二是坚持互利互惠，积蓄共同发展新动力。双方应加强发展战略对接，深化传统优势领域合作，拓展新产业新业态合作，开展高标准、高质量“一带一路”合作，切实将双方互补优势与发展机遇转化为合作成果。我们希望两国抓住明年第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛的机遇，推动双方合作再上新台阶。我们也欢迎英方作为主宾国参加将于11月5日在上海举办的首届中国国际进口博览会，将英国优质产品和服务带到中国。

The third principle is following the trend of the times. This is important in contributing positive energy to international cooperation.

In today’s world, peace and development remain the theme of our times, but unilateralism, protectionism and populism are surging, and international economy and trade face severe challenges. The world is standing at a historical crossroads.

This is the moment for China and the UK, as countries of global influence, to display our vision and shoulder our historical responsibility. We must join hands to safeguard the rule-based multilateral trade regime. We must make greater contribution to world peace and development.

三是坚持顺时应势，贡献国际合作正能量。当今世界，和平与发展仍是时代主题，但单边主义、保护主义、民粹主义有所抬头，国际经济贸易面临严峻形势。世界正站在历史的十字路口。在这样的形势下，作为世界上有重要影响的国家，中英应展现大国胸怀与历史担当，共同维护以规则为基础的国际贸易体系，为世界和平发展事业做出更大贡献。

Ladies and Gentlemen:

女士们、先生们，

美好生活是奋斗出来的。中国将继续在改革开放伟大征程中奋斗前行，实现国家发展和民族复兴。中国愿与包括英国在内的世界各国携手合作，为构建新型国际关系、构建人类命运共同体不懈努力，为开创人类更加美好的明天贡献力量！

Better life comes from hard work. China will continue to strive for national development and rejuvenation through reform and opening up.

Meanwhile, China stands ready to work with the rest of the world, including the UK, to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Speech by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Reception Marking the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

Minister Brandon Lewis,

Ambassador Khaled Al-Duwaisan,

My Lords and MPs,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

尊敬的英国不管部大臣兼保守党主席刘易斯阁下，

尊敬的驻英使团长、科威特驻英大使哈立德·杜维森阁下，

尊敬的各位议员，

尊敬的各位使节，

女士们、先生们：

A very warm welcome to all of you. It is a pleasure to have you with us to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China!

Today is a special day. On this day 69 years ago, “March of the Volunteers” was adopted as the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. The lyrics have this line:

“Now comes the most challenging time for the Chinese nation.”

This line never fails to strike a chord with every Chinese and evoke a strong love for the motherland.

It is in this spirit that for 69 years, especially 40 years since the reform and opening up, the Chinese people have stood side by side, conquered various difficulties and achieved brilliant progress in our national development and rejuvenation.

热烈欢迎各位出席今天的招待会，与我们共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年。

今年是中国改革开放40周年。经过40年砥砺奋进，中国实现了从站起来到富起来、强起来的伟大飞跃，中国与世界关系也发生了历史性、根本性的深刻变化。

Reform and opening up have mapped out a new journey for China’s national rejuvenation.

Forty years of reform and opening up have created the breathtaking “China miracle”:

Once the 13th largest economy, China is now the number two in the world.

Our GDP has increased by 56 times.

We have lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, contributing to more than 70% of the world’s total poverty reduction.

And we have built the world’s largest networks of social security and compulsory education.

Today, the Chinese people are striding proudly towards the goal of building a moderately prosperous society and a great modern socialist country in all respects.

Reform and opening up have opened up a new prospect for socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In the past 40 years, with a creative spirit and concrete steps, China has blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics based on its national conditions.

We uphold the unity of Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance.

Our overall plan is to promote the integrated development in five spheres including the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological areas.

Our overall strategy is four-pronged, namely

building a moderately prosperous society in all respects,

deepening reform on all fronts,

advancing law-based governance

and strengthening the self-governance of the Party.

The Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was adopted at the 19th Party Congress. This has been an important theoretical innovation of Marxism.

Facts have shown that China has chosen the right path. It is a path that has led us to achieve great progress. It is a path that we will continue to follow.

Reform and opening up have written a new chapter of a China that embraces the world.

In the past 40 years, China has kept its door open to the world. This has led to increasing integration between China and the world. At the same time, China has been under more profound influence from the world.

In 2001, China became a member of the WTO. In the 17 years since then, China made remarkable contribution to world economy and trade.

It is now the largest trading partner of more than 120 countries.

It has contributed over 30% of the world’s economic growth for many years.

It has become a stabiliser and powerhouse for world economic growth.

Going forward, China will continue to embrace the world with open arms. It will continue to safeguard world peace, contribute to global growth and uphold the international order.

Reform and opening up are creating new opportunities for the development of China and the world for many years to come.

After 40 years of reform and opening up, China’s development has become more resilient and sustainable. China will continue to be a powerhouse for sustained growth in the world.

Since early this year, China has announced a number of important measures of further opening up. In the next 15 years, China is expected to

import $24 trillion of goods,

open up a $2 trillion market to foreign investment,

and make $2 trillion of investment overseas.

Chinese tourists are expected to make more than 200 million outbound visits.

All these will mean huge opportunities to all countries in the world.

China will continue to hold high the banner of inclusive and win-win cooperation.

We will uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance.

And we will take the lead in the new round of economic globalisation through cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Our goal is to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

女士们、先生们，

In the past 69 years since the founding of New China, China-UK relations have withstood all weather and conquered various difficulties. Our relationship is now in a new stage of development.

China and the UK have every reason to keep up the momentum of the steady and sustained development of the China-UK “Golden Era”. To do this, our two countries should uphold three principles.

The first principle is mutual respect and mutual trust. This is important in building the “Golden Era”.

In advancing the China-UK relations, the two sides should adopt a long-term and strategic view. We need to put our relations in the larger picture of building a new-type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

It is important that we

respect each other’s core interests and major concerns;

respect each other’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity;

view each other’s development as opportunities rather than threats;

never harm each other’s core interests or undermine our strategic trust;

and handle our differences properly.

This will enable us to keep the China-UK relations on the right track.

The second principle is mutual benefit. This is important in gathering new impetus for common development.

Next year, China will host second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. This will be a new opportunity for the two countries to elevate our cooperation onto a new stage.

We also look forward to a strong UK representation as a Country of Honour at the first-ever China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5th. It will be a good opportunity to introduce the British products and services to the Chinese market.

The third principle is following the trend of the times. This is important in contributing positive energy to international cooperation.

In today’s world, peace and development remain the theme of our times, but unilateralism, protectionism and populism are surging, and international economy and trade face severe challenges. The world is standing at a historical crossroads.

This is the moment for China and the UK, as countries of global influence, to display our vision and shoulder our historical responsibility. We must join hands to safeguard the rule-based multilateral trade regime. We must make greater contribution to world peace and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

女士们、先生们，

Better life comes from hard work. China will continue to strive for national development and rejuvenation through reform and opening up.

Meanwhile, China stands ready to work with the rest of the world, including the UK, to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

Together we can create a better future for our planet!

现在，我提议：