Remarks by Consul General Zhang Ping at the Reception Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the
People's Republic of China
Hon. Governor David Ige ,
Hon. Mayor Caldwell,,
President Michele Choy of Hawaii Chinese Chamber of Commerce and members of the Event Preparatory Committee,
Distinguished guests, Chinese community leaders,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is a great pleasure that my colleagues and I can join the Hawaii Chinese community in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I am particularly pleased that both Hon. Governor Ige and Mayor Caldwell can honor us with their presence.
The founding of the People's Republic of China 70 years ago is the greatest event in the history of China. It opened a new era and fundamentally changed the direction of the history of China's development. Since then, the Chinese nation, after enduring so many hardships, has stood up and embarked on the great journey for its pursuit of a stronger and more prosperous country, of national rejuvenation and of its people’s happiness.
Over the past seven decades, staying true to its original aspiration and mission of pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, the Chinese Communist Party has united the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a tireless struggle to build the nation, opened up a road that fits China’s conditions which is socialism with Chinese characteristics, and accomplished the most profound and the greatest social transformation ever occurred in the country’s history.
The past seven decades have witnessed remarkable progress and great changes in China. The once impoverished China is now the world's second largest economy. Its social productivity and overall national strength has taken a historical stride. People’s livelihood has improved significantly. Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. Next year China will realize the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and following that, we will continue with the second goal of fully building a modern socialist country China.
The past seven decades have seen the rise of China’s international standing. As China is moving closer to center of global stage, it is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, contributing its wisdom, its initiative and its strength to the world. China's development has changed the world political landscape and opened up brighter prospects for human society, bringing unprecedented opportunities to development of the world.
Today, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong; it has come to embrace the brilliant prospects of rejuvenation. The Chinese nation, with an entirely new posture, is standing tall and firm in the East.
We take great pride of what our great nation has achieved, and have full confidence in its great rejuvenation. Although there will be risks and challenges on our way ahead, our commitment to national rejuvenation remains firm. Our resolve to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, unity and dignity as well as development rights remains firm. The development of China is unstoppable, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an inexorable trend of history.
Reunification across Taiwan Strait is a historic mission of the Chinese nation that must be accomplished in the process of its rejuvenation. It is an irresistible tide of history. We resolutely oppose any separatist attempts for “Taiwan independence” in any form and our resolve to realize the country’s complete reunification remains firm.
The current situation in Hong Kong concerns many people who care about this place. The continuous unrest and turmoil disrupts social order, threatens the rule of law, undermines prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Violence must be condemned and outside intervention must be stopped. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Any attempt to create chaos in Hong Kong, shake the foundation of "one country, two systems" or even separate Hong Kong from China will have no way to prevail. To stop the violence and end the turmoil is urgent. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government and the police to restore law and order. We will continue to implement “one country, two systems” and do whatever we can to maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China-US relations are among the most important bilateral relations in the world. Sound and stable China-US relations are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the broad-based expectations of the international community. At the moment, China-US relationship stands at a critical juncture. To what direction the relationship is heading, and whether our two sides can handle the relationship properly will have a major impact on our two peoples and, to a large extent, determine the future of the world.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US. History of the relationship proves that China and the US both benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Cooperation for win-win outcome is the only choice. We shall not let differences and disputes define China-US relationship, nor shall we let prejudice and misjudgment dictate its future. We should work together to advance China-US relationship featuring coordination, cooperation and stability, properly manage the differences on the basis of mutual respect and expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit.
China sticks to the path of peaceful development and is committed to working with the other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China will continue to push forward reform and open wider to outside world, so that all other countries can share the gains of China’s development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China and the State of Hawaii have close connections both in the past and at present. Hawaii is closely associated with Chinese contemporary history. It is the place where Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of China’s democratic revolution, used to live and engage in revolutionary activities in his early days. Chinese diaspora in Hawaii made indelible contribution to the success of 1911 Revolution, hence got the praise from Dr. Sun as “mother of revolution”.
Today, Hawaii is closely associated with China in many ways. China is Hawaii’s No.4 export market for goods and No.1 for services. Tourism remains particularly strong in our bilateral people to people ties. In recent years, the annual Chinese tourist arrivals have exceeded 150 thousand. Hawaii has established 7 pairs of sister state and city relationships with Chinese provinces and cities which provide a good platform for sub-national cooperation. We need to further advance our cooperation to bring more benefits to our peoples.
The Chinese community has also contributed a great deal to the local economic and social development and played an important role in promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and the State of Hawaii. Here I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to our community leaders and members.
As we move forward, we need your continuous care and support. The Chinese Consulate will work together with our friends in Hawaii to further expand China-US sub-national cooperation. We will adhere to the notion of “diplomacy for the people” and enhance communication and contact with our compatriots so as to provide more assistance and better service to the community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the common aspiration of all Chinese people home and abroad. A good China-US relationship is also the common desire of oversea Chinese in the US. Let us stay united and work together for an even brighter future of our nation and for a sound and steady development of China-US relations.
Now, I would like to propose a toast,
To the prosperity of China, and happiness of Chinese people,
To the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples,
To the good health of all our distinguished guests,
Cheers!