中文
EnglishAddress by H.E. Ambassador Huang Yong on the Occasion of the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
(Chinese Embassy Chancery September 30th 2013)
Your Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, President of the Republic of Fiji and Madam First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau,
Honorable Ministers and Permanent Secretaries,
Excellencies and Colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to join us in celebrating the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese nation has a great and spectacular history in world’s civilizations. Yet the Chinese nation had suffered from untold misery of both domestic turmoil and foreign aggression in modern times. It was not until 1949 that China regained its full independence and stood up rock-firm in the family of nations.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China and especially since the launching of reform and opening-up, China has made astonishing progress in economic and social development, rising to the place of world’s second-largest economy and world’s largest trading country.
After more than 170 years of hard struggles since the Opium War, today the Chinese nation is closer than ever to achieving the Chinese Dream. The Chinese Dream is the long-cherished aspiration of successive generations of sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, for prosperity of the country, for renewal of the nation and, for happiness of the people. As expounded by President Xi Jinping, “by the time when the Communist Party of China marks its 100th founding anniversary, the goal to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects will be inevitably achieved; by the time when the People’s Republic of China marks its 100th founding anniversary, the goal of building an affluent, strong, civilized and harmonious socialist modern country will certainly be fulfilled, and the dream of great renewal of the Chinese nation will be inevitably accomplished”.
Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends,
The Chinese Dream is a dream of peace and development. It never aims to conquer, bully or push out any other country. The Chinese Dream is a dream of common development and prosperity, shared responsibility and win-win cooperation with all countries.
We are soberly aware that our basic national conditions remain unchanged with a huge population and uneven development across the country; our status as a developing country remains unchanged with a per capita GDP still ranking far behind and a daunting task of poverty alleviation; and most of all, the guiding principles of China’s foreign policy remain unchanged: equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation of mutual benefit.
The China-Fiji relationship embodies the very essence of China’s major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. China always regards Fiji as an equal partner and an equal member of the world community.
We are delighted to see that China-Fiji relations keep scoring new heights in 2013. Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries are not only broad and comprehensive but also bring tangible benefits to the two peoples.
Bilateral trade volume in the first half of this year has reached 125 million US dollars, a 26.5 percent up year on year. The Kiuva sea wall project built with Chinese assistance has been completed and will provide protection for the local people from sea water flooding and erosion. Upgrading of roads with Chinese government’s soft loans in Vanua Levu is progressing well. New training courses have been offered to the Fijian side for capacity building. Donations of protocol cars, police equipments and sewing machines have been handed over to the line agencies.
It is to our satisfaction that high level and people to people exchanges maintain momentum.
Honorable Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama paid a successful visit to China in May and had fruitful meetings with the new Chinese leaders, injecting new vitality in the important partnership between our two countries.
Mr. Cai Wu, Chinese Minister of Culture, visited Fiji and signed with his counterpart Minister Bole the MOU on Bilateral Cultural Cooperation. China’s Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe took part in the 2013 Hibiscus Festival. We have increased our government scholarships to Fiji to promote mutual understanding between the young people.
The Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Chief of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense visited Fiji respectively.
Our two sides have also conducted successful cooperation in law enforcement and combating transnational crimes. For the first time, two police officers from China have worked in attachment in Fiji.
Our two sides have also maintained good communication and coordination on major international and regional issues. We welcome and support Fiji’s 2013 Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China.
Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends,
Our relations with Fiji illustrate the larger picture of our relations with the Pacific Islands Countries. Although far apart in geography, China and the Pacific Islands Countries are members of the big family of Asia-Pacific. In recent years, the relations between China and the Pacific Islands Countries have made headway with deepened trust and enhanced cooperation. China’s trade volume with the Pacific Islands Countries has reached a new high of 4.21 billion US dollars last year.
Both China and the Pacific Islands Countries are developing countries faced with the common task of development. This brings us closer in safeguarding the rights and interests of the developing countries, particularly in working together on issues of sustainable development, green economy and climate change. China has proposed to hold the 2nd China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic Development Cooperation Forum in Guangzhou city, China in November, which will surely elevate the traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two sides to a new level.
Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends,
The Chinese side commends the promulgation of the new Constitution of Fiji. We support the government and people of Fiji in choosing their own development path in line with their own national conditions. The Chinese government and people wish to see that the government and people of Fiji fare well and succeed in their achievement of a better and united Fiji.
Now, may I propose a toast,
To the prosperity of the People’s Republic of China and well being of its people,
To the prosperity of the Republic of Fiji and well being of its people,
To the bright future of China-Fiji relations,
And, to the good health of all friends present tonight,
Cheers!
Vinaka vakalevu!