September 29th, 2011

Hon. President of Senate

Hon. Mr. Harold Lovell, Acting Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda,

Hon. Members of Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet,

Hon. Members of Antigua and Barbuda Parliament,

Diplomatic Cort.

Friends of Media

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening, everyone.

First of all, please allow me to extend, on behalf of my wife Mrs. Jiao Fang and all of my colleagues of the Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda, a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests tonight. I would like to thank you all for coming to join me in the celebration of  the 62nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China during the charming season of golden autumn.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949, China realized its national independence and people liberation, creating a new era in the national history. In the past 62 years, in particular the adoption of the policy of Reformation and Opening 30 years ago, China's development has achieved great success that draws worldwide attention. With political stability and rapid economic development, China's overall strength has grown considerably, living conditions of Chinese people continue to improve, and China's international status and influence has been increasing significantly. China's total economic output reached US$5.88 trillion in 2010 over 16 times that of 1978, rising to 9.3% of the world's total from 1.8% in 1978. China has also become the only country in the world that has halved the number of people living under poverty line ahead of schedule set out by the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. I am now having the honor to share another good news with everyone that China's first space lab module Tiangong-1, carried by Long March-2FT1 rocket, successfully blasted off at 9:16 this morning from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, paving the way for China to become the third country in the world after the U.S. and Russia to mastered rendezvous and docking technology.

While seeking its own development, China has never forgotten to provide assistance to other countries and regions as its capacity permits. By the end of 2009, China had given assistance worth RMB 256.3 billion to 161 countries and over 30 international and regional organizations, reduced and canceled 380 debts amounting to over RMB 25.5 billion incurred by 50 heavily indebted poor countries and least-developed countries, trained 120,000 people for other developing countries, and sent 21,000 medical personnel and nearly 10,000 teachers abroad to help other countries. Since the international financial crisis erupted in 2008, China has sized up the situation, adopted resolute and vigorous measures, restructured the economy and transformed the pattern of economic development, making China the first country to achieve economic turnaround. In addition to that, China has taken an active part in the G20's efforts to build a global economic governance mechanism, promoted the reform of the international financial system, got involved in multi-country macroeconomic policy coordination, and participated in international trade financing schemes and financial cooperation. China has sent large overseas purchasing missions and helped countries in difficulties. The above-mentioned measures taken by China have made important contribution to the recovery and stable development of the world economy.

China has always pursued a policy of development in peace. China's development will neither harm anyone nor threaten anyone. A prosperous and developing China, a democratic, harmonious and stable China under the rule of law, will make more contribution to the world. The Chinese people are willing to build, together with people of other countries, a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China has an idiom "a long road tests a horse's strength and a long task proves a man's heart". The Chinese people will never forget that Antigua and Barbuda was the first East Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relation with the People's Republic of China 28 years ago. The Chinese people will never forget that Antigua and Barbuda always stands firmly with the People's Republic of China on those issues, such as Taiwan issue, concerning China's core interests in the past 28 years. The Chinese people, in particular, will never forget those heartfelt congratulation and sincere sympathy from Antigua and Barbuda Government and people when China either successfully hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games or suffered severe natural disasters, such as Sichuan Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and flooding in several provinces of South-East China June this year.

At present, the China-Antigua and Barbuda relation has maintained a good development momentum; the mutual political trust continues to be enhanced; the economic and trade links are getting closer; the friendly cooperation in various areas such as culture, education and military continues to deepen. In this year, in particular, the China-Antigua and Barbuda relation expected good news one after another. Early this year, Madame Liu Yandong, State Councilor of the People's Republic of China, paid a successful visit to Antigua and Barbuda, promoting the China-Antigua and Barbuda relation to a new level. During the 3rd China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum which just concluded, Chinese Vice Premier Mr. Wang Qishan and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Dr. Baldwin Spencer held a frank and friendly meeting on bilateral relation and issues of common interest. Following the successful completion and handing over of the 30 Mega Watt power plant aided by China, the V.C. Bird International Airport New Terminal Project will be launched shortly. In addition to that, we are expecting a friendship visit by the Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe of China to Antigua and Barbuda in late October this year, which will provide two fantastic shows incorporated with music, dance and Chinese martial art in celebration of the 30^th Anniversary of the Independence of Antigua and Barbuda.

China has another idiom "Men stand firm at thirty", which means a man will come to his maturity at thirty. In one month, Antigua and Barbuda will come to its age of "firm-standing". In one year, the China-Antigua and Barbuda relation will also come to its age of "firm-standing". We have every reason to believe that the national development of both China and Antigua and Barbuda, under the joint efforts made by their governments and people, will achieve more great success; the China-Antigua and Barbuda relation will continue to develop in a healthy and stable way; the friendly cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda in various areas will further benefit the people of the two countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, I would like to propose a toast:

To the 62nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Antigua and Barbuda;

To the prosperity of the People's Republic of China and Antigua and Barbuda;

To the passing on of the friendship between China and Antigua and Barbuda from generation to generation;

For the everlasting friendship, happiness and good health of the people of China and Antigua and Barbuda;

For the good health and happiness of all the distinguish gests tonight and their family.

Cheers!

Thank you, everyone.