Remarks by Chinese Consul General in Belfast Li Nan at the Reception in Celebration of the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

Honorable Deputy Lieutenant Ms.Jane Wells and Deputy Lieutenant Dr.Alastair Adair,
Rt.Honorable Speaker Mr.Edwin Poots,
Honorable Junior Minister Ms. Aisling Reilly
Rt.Honorable Mr.Sammy Wilson, MP
Honorable Mr.Cathal Mallaghan,MP
Honorable Deputy Speaker Dr. Steve Aiken
Honorable Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons,Vice Chairpersons, City councilors,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Good Evening!

Thank you very much for joining us this evening to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.  

Dear friends, 76 years ago, the founding of the People's Republic of China marked a milestone in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the past 7 decades, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability, after successfully lifting nearly 800m people out of abject poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Today, China is now advancing with great strides along the path of Chinese modernization with greater confidence and openness.

This year also marks the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. Facing challenges from both home and abroad, China's economy has continued to release its vast development potential in pursuing high-quality development. In the first half of this year, China's GDP reached $9.4trillion, a year-on-year growth of 5.3%, continuing to lead among major economies with strong vitality and resilience. New quality productive forces continued to thrive. In the first 6 months this year, high-tech manufacturing sector in China increased by 9.5%, as the production of IC-chips, aerospace equipment, industrial robots, civilian drones, and new energy vehicles growing in double digital percentage from 20-50% respectively. High-level opening-up continued to expand steadily. In the first half of the year, China's imports and exports with more than 190 countries and regions registered growth, with 61 trading partners posting bilateral trade volumes exceeding $7 billion. In the past 8 months, the total value of imports and exports of goods of China exceeded $4.2trillion, up by 3.5%, underscoring the strong resilience of China's trade against the headwind of tariff wars. Starting from June 12th this year, China has expanded visa-free treatment  unilaterally to 47 countries. In the first 6 months this year, more than 51 million foreign visitors traveled to China, a 53.9% increase year-on-year. These achievements not only benefit the Chinese people, but also inject new momentum to global economic development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Recently, China has held various events to commemorate this historical moment. The purpose is to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and create a better future. As the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, China has been playing its roles as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods. As President Xi Jinping pointed out on many occasions, China will always be a force of peace, stability, and progress in the world, standing ready to defend international fairness and justice, aiming to build a community of shared future for humanity.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. On September 1st, President Xi put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which provides the fundamental guidance, method and path to follow to build a more just and equitable global governance system. This is another important initiative that China has provided to the international community, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These four global initiatives, have injected stability, certainty, and positive energy into today's turbulent world, demonstrating China's great sense of responsibility in handling international affairs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thanks to the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, nowadays, China-UK relations have embarked on the right track of improvement and development. Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have held nine dialogues, including the Strategic Dialogue, the Economic and Financial Dialogue, and Dialogues on Energy, Health, AI, Climate and Environment etc. Just two weeks ago, the 14th meeting of China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission was held in Beijing. Both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries in the world, and a sound China-UK relationship serves the interests of our two countries, and also contributes to world peace and development. Both sides should uphold the original vision for their strategic partnership, follow the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences and pursuing mutual benefits through cooperation, so as to write a new chapter in China-UK relations.

Under this encouraging atmosphere, we are pleased to witness the ever-growing and strengthening cooperation between China and Northern Ireland over the past months.

First, official engagements have further revived. In March, Mr. David Malcolm, Permanent Secretary of the Executive Office of Northern Ireland, and MP Mr. Chris Hazzard, visited China respectively, to promote local partnerships and cultural and sports exchanges. In May, Chinese Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Wu Yan visited Northern Ireland and signed a 10-year educational cooperation agreement worth £34 million. A delegation from the Foreign Affairs Office of Liaoning Province also visited Northern Ireland, to strengthen sister-city relationship with Belfast City Council and explore new areas of cooperation. We are looking forward to more high level official exchanges in the months ahead.

Second, cultural cooperation has further deepened. In close collaboration with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and the Confucius Institute at Ulster University, we have successfully hosted a series of "Happy Chinese New Year" events in the first three months. Celebrating Festivities were held at Belfast Central Station, City Hall, Grosvenor Grammar School, and other venues, allowing the public to experience the richness and charm of Chinese culture.

Third, economic and trade ties have further consolidated. I have visited Invest NI, the NI Chamber, Lakeland Dairies, Old Bushmills Distillery, Cranswick Country Foods Ballymena, and other institutions and enterprises to seek their advice, help to address practical issues and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Through these engagements, I have personally felt Northern Ireland's strong willingness and vast potential for cooperation with China.

Fourth, people-to-people exchanges have further expanded. This year, I have visited Grosvenor Grammar School, Millburn Primary School, Methodist College Belfast, South Eastern Regional College, and South West College, and have met those lovely teachers and students face to face, exploring the enlargement of exchange programs. We have also built good friendships with Antrim Boxing Club and the GAA Sports Club, aiming to further deepen mutual understanding and friendship among the younger generations through sports exchange programs. I am always encouraging more and more Chinese students, tourists and businessmen to come to study, travel and invest in Northern Ireland on many occasions, and I will continue to do so.

In this November, together with Invest NI, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce in London, we will be co-hosting the China-Northern Ireland Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation Forum at Culloden Hotel here in Belfast, which will inject new momentum into our collaboration and partnership. I am so grateful that　Honorable Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald has agreed to deliver a key note speech at the forum, and we are looking forward to that.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Looking ahead, the Consulate General will continue to act as a bridge to facilitate a robust and dynamic China-Northern Ireland relationship. By working together, we can build a brighter future!

Finally, may I propose a toast:

To the prosperity to both China and the United Kingdom,

to the friendship between China and Northern Ireland,

and to the happiness and good health to all the friends here today!

Cheers!

Thank you!