This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, I wish to convey festive greetings to the Chinese communities, Chinese students and Chinese enterprise employees in our consular district. I also wish to express heartfelt thanks to all the friends for their support for China’s modernization efforts and the development of China-US relationship.

73 years ago, the People’s Republic of China was founded. The Chinese nation has since then stood up and embarked on a great journey towards prosperity of the country, rejuvenation of the nation and happiness of the people. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and create the miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, pioneering a Chinese path to modernization.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic achievements and experienced historic transformation. We have withstood the tests of various risks and challenges, fulfilled the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, and set out on a new journey of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

Faced with the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, we put people’s lives and health front and center, promoted economic development while putting in place effective control measures, and have protected the Chinese people’s lives and health to the largest extent. We have forged a great spirit of fighting against the pandemic with tenacity and fortitude.

China is committed to the path of peaceful development. We firmly safeguard world peace and promote common development of mankind. To address the major deficits of development and security that the world is facing today, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. The two Initiatives have brought new impetus for the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the sustainable growth of the global economy, and pointed out the direction for dealing with global security challenges and achieving long-term peace and stability around the world.

China-US relations are now facing serious difficulties. The root cause is that the US forms an erroneous perception of China. The US has taken a series of wrong actions on the Taiwan question, which seriously undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and severely damaged the political foundation of China-US relationship. China is bound to make firm and strong responses. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is part of China. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. This is at the core of the one-China principle and the real status quo of the Taiwan question. We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, but will never allow anyone, at any time or in any form, to separate any part of Chinese territory from China. We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués and take actions to deliver on the “five noes” commitment made by the U.S. leadership. 

A sound and steady China-US relationship is the shared expectation of the international community and the common aspiration of our two peoples. The Chinese side has all along acted on the three principles put forward by President Xi Jinping in developing China-US relations, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. China’s development is not a threat to the US or any other country. China-US relationship should not be a zero-sum game or a win-or-lose situation. China and the US should be cooperating partners, not adversaries. The two sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two presidents, bear in mind the common interests of the two countries and the people all over the world, properly manage differences and work together to push China-US relations back to the right track of sound and steady development as soon as possible.

Sub-national exchanges and cooperation is an important part of China-US relations and plays a vital role in promoting bilateral relationship. Since this year, my colleagues and I have visited many urban and rural areas in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii. We had in-depth exchanges with friends and people from all walks of life, visited local enterprises, schools and farms, attended online and in-person discussion, cultural events and festival celebrations. We felt keenly that most people desire for a better China-US relationship and hope that the two countries could soon get out of the current difficulties. The Consulate General is willing to join efforts with people from all walks of life in our consular district to enhance mutual understanding and expand win-win cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.

The 20th CPC National Congress to be held next month is a very important conference held at a crucial moment on our new journey of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. It will scientifically plan the goals, tasks and major policies for the cause of the Party and the country for the next five years and beyond. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people will work with confidence and unity to open a new chapter in building a great modern socialist country in all respects and forge ahead toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

May our great motherland enjoy great prosperity and the people happiness and well-being.