Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
This October the 1st marks the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
It is my pleasure to celebrate with you online.
Indeed, there are great accomplishments to celebrate.
Over the past four decades and more, China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, including about 100 million in the past 8 years. This means that we have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty in China.
As the most populous country in the world, with a per capita GDP of more than 10,000 dollars, China has achieved the historic leap from a country with relatively backward productive forces to the world's second largest economy, realizing the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
This is a historical achievement for China and for humanity.
This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. It would never be possible for China to make such achievements without the strong leadership of the CPC.
The pandemic has cast a long shadow over the global economy.
China's economy has recovered rapidly and steadily, thanks to its success in fighting against the Covid.
In the first half this year, our GDP increased by 12.7%, the actual use of foreign direct investment increased by 28.7%, highest in 10 years, the trade in goods also scored a historical high. Its projected annual growth rate is around 8.5%, contributing over 25% to that of the world.
China is the engine for global economic growth.
China has been investing heavily in science and technology, in research and development.
We aim for innovative growth, attaching great important to the protection of intellectual property rights.
According to the latest report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China, with around 68,000 applications in 2020, or a 16.1% year-on-year growth, has the largest number of patents for two years in a running.
Today many things are made-in-China; tomorrow there will be more created-in-China.
China now has the world's second largest digital economy, accounting for 38.6% of its GDP.
This year China has made remarkable headway in its space program. It sent 3 astronauts to work in the space station for 3 months; it successfully fetched rock and soil samples from the moon, it landed a rover on Mars.
China can make greater contribution to humanity.
Internationally, China is always a builder of peace, contributor to development, defender of the world order and provider of public goods.
President Xi Jinping has recently proposed the Global Development Initiative, calling on the world to speed up implementation of UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth.
China has pledged an additional three billion dollars of international assistance in the next three years to support developing countries in responding to COVID and promoting economic and social recovery.
China has honored its promise to support global fight against pandemic with special focus on the vaccine accessibility and affordability of developing countries. China is the major supplier of Covid vaccines to developing countries.
China has been working hard to accelerate transition to a green and low-carbon economy, and achieve green development.
It has accepted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and tighten regulations over non-carbon dioxide emissions to repair the ozone layer of our planet earth.
China will host the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity this October and looks forward to working with all parties to enhance global governance on biodiversity.
China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
The job is hard, but our commitment is firm.
We are now making an action plan and are already taking strong nationwide actions toward carbon peak.
At the same time, China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.
International cooperation is more needed today than ever.
Unprecedented challenges like climate change and Covid require unprecedented cooperation.
This is a time to unite, not to divide.
We need to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and a better world for all. Peace and development, equity and justice, win-win cooperation are our objectives.
We all share our fate in the same boat.
As a major contributor to global cooperation, China is part of the solution.
China and Dutch bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum. Our leaders kept frequent contacts through phone calls and messages.
China views the Netherlands as the gateway for Sino-Europe cooperation. With joint efforts, our economic ties have become closer.
In 2020, our bilateral trade grew by 7.8%; in the first half of this year, it increased further by more than 30%.
Also last year, China became the largest trade partner outside EU for the Netherlands.
Among EU countries, the Netherlands is the largest destination of Chinese investment and second largest source of investment to China.
This outstanding performance of our economic cooperation, against all odds of the pandemic, is a testament to the resilience, potential and entrepreneurship of our business.
China is striving for building an open economy on a higher level. Opening up is China's basic state policy that will never waver, only wider.
In addition to opening its manufacturing sectors, China has announced a series of new measures to boost service trade openness, including implement a negative list for cross-border services trade across the country.
Beijing will host the Winter Olympics next February. It will be a simple, safe and splendid event. Its motto "together for a shared future" signals to bring hope and confidence for the world.
Dutch people are winter sports lovers and we are looking forward to the good performance from the Dutch athletes.
Yes, there are challenges ahead, to enhance understanding and build trust, against the backdrop of changing global landscape.
But I am optimistic.
Next year, China and the Netherlands will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our ambassadorial diplomatic relationship.
Let's join hands to promote the "Open and Pragmatic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation", a term coined and endorsed by our leaders.
To conclude, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the friends for your contribution to Sino-Dutch relations.
I wish China and the Netherlands a prosperous future.
Wish our bilateral relations stronger momentum.
Wish everyone happiness and health!