On September 27, 2018, His Excellency Wang Baodong, Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga hosted a reception in grand celebration of the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. HRH Princess Pilolevu, Hon. Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Semisi Sika, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism, Ministers of Agriculture, Education, Police and other ministries, Members of Parliament as well as the members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the local media outlets and the Chinese community and Chinese companies attended the reception.
In his speech, Ambassador Wang recalled the great development achievements China has made over the 69 years since the New China was founded especially the four decades since China adopted reform and opening-up policy and briefed the guests on China’ ambitious goals for future development set by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He pointed out that under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have successfully blazed a development path that suits China’s conditions and brought earth-shaking changes to the country by constantly working hard and sticking to reforms and external engagement. As the Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, China’s GDP has averaged an annual growth rate of around 9.5%. About 700 million people were lifted out of poverty which accounted for more than 70% of the global total over the same period. China has firmly retained its position of the second biggest economy, the biggest industrial producer, the biggest trader of goods and the holder of the biggest foreign exchange reserves in the world.
Ambassador Wang said that since this year, facing the challenges such as the growing trend of trade protectionism and backlash against globalization, China rose to the difficulties by actively deepening reform, expanding opening-up and advancing innovation. China’s economy has been keeping a stable performance with good momentum for growth. It grew by 6.8 percent in the first half of this year and has been operating within a medium high range for 12 consecutive quarters. China’s economic structure and growth mode have greatly changed. Emerging and high-tech industries are growing at around 10 percent. New growth drivers accounted for over one third of the economic growth. The final consumption and service industry contributed around 60% to the overall economic growth. China will work even harder to advance reform, opening-up and innovation, speed up the shift from traditional drivers of growth to new ones, improve the quality and efficiency of the economy and keep its growth at a medium-high rate for the coming years. We firmly believe that the Chinese economy has a bright prospect of development. The Chinese dream of national prosperity, rejuvenation and more happiness for the people will definitely be realized. At the same time, China will make new contribution to the growth and prosperity of the global economy and lay a more solid foundation for expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Pacific Island Countries.
Ambassador Wang elaborated China’s concepts of diplomacy in the new era and China’s policy towards the Pacific Island Countries. He said that in the spirit of mutual respect and treating each other as equals, China has conducted friendly cooperation in various fields with the Pacific Island countries with the aim of achieving common development. The cooperation has always been transparent and open. China’s development of relations with the Pacific Island Countries is not against any third party, and will not affect the relations between the Pacific Island Countries and other countries. Never seeking the sphere of influence or engaged in vicious competition, China is always ready to carry out trilateral cooperation according to the needs of the Pacific Island Countries so as to jointly promote the peace, stability and prosperity of the Pacific Island region. Ambassador Wang emphasized that in the international affairs, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China will firmly oppose unilateralism and power politics and stick to multi-lateralism and collaboration on equal basis, stay committed to the strategy of opening-up for win-win results, advance the building of a community of shared future for mankind and make the global governance system better represent the will and interests of the majority of countries, especially the developing countries. For the Belt and Road Initiative, China will follow the approach of pursuing the greater good and shared interests and the concept of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, uphold the principles of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration and work hand in hand with countries all over the world to jointly build the Belt and Road, achieving the objective of common development and universal progress.
Ambassador Wang spoke positively of the new progress China and Tonga have made in their relations this year with the frequent exchanges at the top and other levels and ever-deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, which have brought new tangible benefits to the two peoples. The two sides have been enjoying mutual trust and mutual support on the issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns and effectively safeguarded their common interests. The two countries will soon usher in the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. China stands ready to make joint efforts with the Tongan side to continuously carry out the important consensus reached by the two Heads of State, further strengthen friendly exchanges and practical collaboration, so as to push the China-Tonga strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development to a new level and bring more benefits to the peoples of our two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Sika extended sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI, the Government and people of Tonga. He applauded China’s position of the world’s second largest economy with global influence. He said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tonga and China, an important milestone in the close relationship between the two countries. Tonga and China have become friend and partner. The Tongan Government values its cordial relations with China and will continue to strictly adhere to the One-China policy and jointly uphold the principles of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty with China.
Deputy Prime Minister Sika expressed gratitude for China’s grant aids and Economic and Technical Cooperation Program in areas of economic development, climate change, civil aviation, tourism, trade, health, sports, agriculture, education, defense and infrastructure. He said that Tonga appreciates the Ark Peace’s kind gesture of providing free medical service to the Tongan people. These activities and people-to-people exchanges have played an important role in strengthening the friendship. The Tongan side will continue to work with the Chinese side in promoting the strong ties between the two countries. He wished the two peoples well-being and prosperity and the two countries continued success of cooperation.
The guests extended their congratulations on the 69th anniversary of China’s national day and highly praised China’s great development achievements and enormous contribution to the international community . The traditional Tongan dance won rounds of warm applause from the guests. The reception proceeded in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
