Honorable President Kim Yong Nam,
Fellow Ambassadors and Heads of Missions,
Comrades and Friends,
In this beautiful season of golden autumn, we gather together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I would like to thank H.E. President Kim Yong Nam and other DPRK leaders from the Party, Government and military, as well as friends from all walks of life and fellow Ambassadors, for attending tonight's reception and joining us in celebrating this significant event.
Sixty years ago, the founding of the People's Republic of China ushered in a new era in the history of the Chinese nation. The birth of New China marked in historical context that this oriental nation, with 1/4 of the world's population, had finally overthrown the rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism after heroic fighting for over one century and had gained independence and liberation. The Chinese people have since then stood up on their own feet and taken on their own destiny. The ancient Chinese civilization has been revitalized.
The birth of New China also marked a starting point for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Since then, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese People in writing an epic of nation building with the spirit of undaunted perseverance and unrelentant creativity. In the past 60 years, thanks to the enduring exploration and persistent efforts by generations of people, China has witnessed great achievements across the economic, political, cultural and social fields and grown into a socialist nation with growing prosperity but full of vitality. The Chinese people have created a China miracle by their own toil and wisdom.
Today, China stands on the world stage with comprehensive national power unprecedented in its history as the world's third largest economy, the largest holder of foreign exchange and third largest in foreign trade. Today, China is the No 1 producer of many agricultural and industrial products. The Chinese people are enjoying a much better off life, and their average life expectancy has reached that of the developed countries. Today, the international status and influence of China is rising. China has established diplomatic relations with 171 countries, as compared with only 18 countries in 1949. China has taken part in more than 130 inter-governmental organizations and concluded over 300 international treaties. We have made friends all over the world. Today, China is catching the tide of time and steadily embarking on the road towards prosperity and happiness. We are ready to fulfill the prospect of socialist modernization and national revival.
The founding of New China not only diverted the course of Chinese history, but also deeply affected the development of world civilization. Over the past 60 years, the relationship between China and the world has led to historic change. The future and destiny of China has been increasingly interlocked with that of the whole world. Over the past 60 years, we have unswervingly pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, abided by the principle of maintaining world peace and promoting common growth, developed friendly and cooperative relationships with all nations in the world, assumed appropriate international obligations and played an increasingly important and constructive role in world affairs. Over the past 60 years, especially the last 30 years since we adopted the policy of reform and opening-up, the development of China has not only benefited itself, but also has brought opportunities to the international community and benefited people around the world. Today, the growth of China cannot be separated from that of the world, and the prosperity and economic stability of the world cannot be detached from that of China.
China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are neighbors linked by mountains and waters. The friendship between the two peoples can be dated back to ancient time. It was only six days after the birth of the New China that the two countries established formal diplomatic relations. Since then, the two newly born socialist nations have developed a historical course of cooperation and fraternity. The year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK. Over the past 60 years, the great China-DPRK friendship, created by the older generations in the fights of blood and fire, has withstood various tests of international vicissitudes. Over the past 60 years, China and the DPRK have supported each other in socialist revolution and construction, and the exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been promoted steadily, which has profoundly benefited the two peoples. Over the past 60 years, China and the DPRK have had close coordination in the international and regional affairs and have made joint efforts to maintain regional stability, promote world peace, and create a favorable environment for economic development. Over the past 60 years, the China-DPRK friendship has been rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and deeply treasured by them. As proved by history, the growth of the China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relationship is not only in the fundamental interest of the two countries and the two peoples, but also has made important contributions to the maintenance of the enduring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic relationship, the two sides decided to mark this year as the China-DPRK Friendship Year and have held many activities with far-reaching significance. The exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, trade, technology, sports and health have been active and vigorous, opening a new chapter in China-DPRK cooperation and making the Friendship Year a more colorful one. They also help to promote the enduring traditional friendship between the two peoples and enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
On October 4th, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK. This visit will be one of the most important events for the China-DPRK Friendship Year. Premier Wen Jiabao will have exchanges of ideas with the DPRK leaders on the China-DPRK relationship as well as international and regional issues of common concern. Premier Wen will also attend commemorative events of the Friendship Year. We will work together and coordinate closely with our DPRK comrades to ensure the visit will be a successful one. I firmly believe that the visit of Premier Wen Jiabao will make important contributions to the development of the China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relationship and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
It is the unwavering policy of the Chinese Party and Government to constantly consolidate and develop the China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relationship. We would like to work hand in hand with our DPRK comrades for an even better next sixty years of China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations.
Now, may I propose a toast,
To the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of
To the constant consolidation and development of the China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relationship,
CHEERS!
Thank you!
