Distinguished Excellencies, Honourable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, friends,
You are more than welcome to attend the reception tonight, celebrating with us the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
In the last 66 years, China has achieved remarkable developments in all areas, turning itself from a poor and weak country into a prosperous power with a bright future. We lifted the largest population ever seen in the world from poverty with the shortest time span. As a result, the Chinese people have been leading a happy life as China became the second largest economy in the world and provided strong impetus for global economic development. Against the backdrop of global economic downturn, it is true that China is also faced with some pressure in terms of economic development. However, the Chinese government adopted a series of regulating measures to restructure the economy and stablize the rate of economic development. Therefore, the overall picture of quick and sound economic development for China remains unchanged and economic growth rate remains at a reasonable level. Also, China is still ahead of other economies in terms of growth rate and is bound to realize a growth rate of 7% this year.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the global war over fascists and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China has long been supporting world peace and development, promoting a win-win situation through cooperation and providing wisdom for common prosperity and development of all countries in the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last 31 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the United Arab Emirates, the strategic partnership between the two countries has been developing in a steady manner and becoming increasingly mature. This is evidenced by frequent exchanges at different levels, pragmatic cooperation in all areas and active people-to-people contacts. Also, we have harboured many shining points together. We are discussing how to deepen financial cooperation. We have flourishing exchanges at subnational levels. Several months ago, Dubai Week was kick-started in Beijing. The UAE government sent a delegation to the Chin-Arab Exhibition held in Ningxia, China not long ago. In particular, during the visit of Mr. Yang Xiong, mayor of Shanghai, to the UAE in May 2015, the two sides signed many cooperation agreements and reached broad consensus on future cooperation. We also have frequent people-to-people exchanges. At the International Book Fair held in Beijing, many activities organized by the UAE left a deep impression on the Chinese people of its history and culture.
China-UAE friendship not only exists between the two countries, but between the two peoples. When I visited Fujairah a few days ago, I paid a special visit to the family members of doctor Muza, who are also present at the reception today. Doctor Muza is the first female Emirati student pursuing education in China and also the first female military doctor in the UAE. Serving as the good-will ambassador for the Economic and Social Council of the UN, she is the pride of the UAE. Ten years of study in China has nurtured in her deep feelings towards China. She passed away unfortunately, but her experience fully demonstrates China-UAE friendship. As a daughter of both the UAE and China, her death has brought deep sorrow to all of us. Also present at the reception are Youth Ambassadors who just terminated their visit to China. All this means more and more young people from both countries will strive to promote China-UAE friendship. This is the hope and future of China-UAE strategic partnership.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
China is one of the most important trading partners of the UAE while the UAE is a natural partner of China in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Maritime Silk Road. Against the backdrop of economic restructuing for both countries, we are faced with rare historic opportunities for deepening win-win cooperation. We are ready to make joint efforts with those who have long been caring for China and China-UAE relationship to promote policy, trade and people-to-people exchanges so as to bring forward well-being and prosperity to the two peoples and all countries in the world.
Thanks for all.