Your Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu and Hon. Lord Tuita,
Your Serene Highnesses Prince Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili and Princess Marcella Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili,
Honorable Prime Minister ’Akilisi Pohiva,
Honorable Ministers of the Cabinet, Nobles of the Realm, Members of the Parliament,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Members of the Chinese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening. Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This is the first time that we open the multi-function hall of our embassy after its renovation is completed. I hope you will have a pleasant evening.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Over the past 68 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and especially during the nearly 40 years since reform and opening-up, China has made great achievements which attract world-wide attention. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have found a socialist path with Chinese characteristics that suits China’s conditions. China has become the second largest economy in the world from a poor and backward country. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, guided by the innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive principles of development, all ethnic groups of China are speeding up implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan. China’s economy has been growing at a medium-high rate. Over 700 million people were lifted out of poverty. China’s GDP exceeded 10 trillion U.S. dollars and is contributing over 30% to the world economy.
In the first half of this year, China’s economy increased by 6.9%. The IMF, ADB and other multilateral financial organizations have raised their projection on China’s average annual economic growth rate, which shows the confidence of the international community in the bright prospect of China’s economy. This year, China has made important breakthroughs in sci-tech innovations. China's homegrown large passenger plane C919 made its successful maiden flight last May. China launched its first indigenously built aircraft carrier last April. China’s first self-developed bullet train "Fuxing" officially went into operation last week, boasting a speed of 350km per hour. The world’s first superfast quantum computing machine was built by the Chinese scientists last May.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Maybe you all know that China had “Four Great Inventions” in ancient times, gunpowder, paper-making, printing techniques and the compass. Not long ago, youngsters from 20 foreign countries that participate in the “Belt and Road” Initiative have named Four Modern Great Inventions of China, which are high-speed railways, electronic payments, shared bicycles and online shopping. These new inventions are based on the innovation of internet technology and are spreading to the world as fashionable lifestyles. China’s internet companies and trend of technological innovation will probably play a leading role in the global scientific and technological transformation.
When developing itself, China is also actively playing a constructive role in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity. This year, President Xi Jinping attended the Annual Meeting of Davos World Economic Forum, hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the ninth BRICS summit in China. China has contributed its concepts and proposals for improving the global governance and promoting the development of the world economy, which were well received by the international community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the coming months, both China and Tonga will respectively carry out their important domestic political agendas. Tonga will hold new general elections of Legislative Assembly and the Community Party of China(CPC) will convene its 19th National Congress. I’d like to take this opportunity to brief you on China’s party system and the 19th National Congress of CPC. China practices a multi-party cooperation and political consultation system lead by CPC. CPC is the ruling party and its leadership was chosen by the history and the Chinese people. Besides CPC, there are 8 other democratic parties, which exercise democratic supervision and participate in deliberating and administration of state affairs. Many of their members hold important leading posts in the governments and legislation organs at various levels of China.
As the highest leading organ of the Party and is held every five years, the CPC National Congress will convene its 19th conference in Beijing on October 18. This Congress is a very important one to be held at the crucial period to build a moderately well-off society in an all-around way and at the critical stage to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Congress will review and summarize the historical process and the experiences the party’s central leadership with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has gained uniting and leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to carry on and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics over the past five years and draw guidelines for actions and major policies that meet the requirements of the times. It’s of great significance for ensuring the Party and China to advance in the right direction and smoothly realizing the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream. The Congress will also elect a new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, on the basis of which the new top leadership of the Party will be elected.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tonga is an important development partner of China in the pacific region. Leaders of both of our two countries attach great importance to China-Tonga relations. This year, the bilateral relations have achieved new progress with concerted efforts of both sides. New and mutually beneficial fruits were produced in the the fields of trade and economic cooperation, education, culture, health, agriculture, tourism, clean energy, personnel training, local government interactions, etc. As we’re ushering in the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, China-Tonga relations are entering an important stage between past and future. China looks forward to taking this great opportunity and working with the Tongan side to further strengthen friendly exchanges and practical collaboration in various areas, push for greater progress in our strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, bring more benefits to our two countries and two peoples, and make new contribution to the peace, development and prosperity in the pacific region.
Now, I would like to propose a toast
To the health of His Majesty King Tupou VI and the friends present,
To the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
To the brighter future of China-Tonga relations,
Cheers,
Malo Aupito！Thank you.