Hon. Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly,

Hon. Committee Chairpersons and Members of the Parliament,

Respected Mireille Wenger, Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities of Western Cape Province,

Hon. Daylin Mitchell, Speaker of Western Provincial Parliament,

Hon. Ald Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services of City of Cape Town,

Dear Colleagues from Consular Corps,

Dear Fellow Compatriots, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, 

With all Distinguished Guests Acknowledged,  

Good evening and warm welcome to you all for joining us here to celebrate the 74th birthday of the People’s Republic of China. 

Let me begin by sharing with you the following since I arrived in Cape Town and began my tenure as the Consul General at the beginning of this year:

One, I have witnessed the robust growth of China-South Africa relations. President Xi Jinping just concluded his fourth state visit to South Africa, which has yielded fruitful results. The two sides issued a joint statement, and the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as the Belt and Road cooperation, new energy and electricity, agricultural products, special economic zones and industrial parks, blue economy, scientific and technological innovation, and higher education. South Africa successfully hosted the 15th BRICS Summit. 

Two, I have witnessed the acceleration of regional cooperation between local governments in China and three Cape Provinces. With the end of the pandemic, people-to-people exchanges between China and South Africa are gradually resuming. High-level Chinese delegations have been visiting Cape Town and other regions of Cape Provinces in an endless stream, promoting extensive exchanges and in-depth cooperation between the two sides in the fields of economy, trade, education, science and technology, culture and public security. Exchanges between sister provinces and cities have also been fully recovered.  

Three, I have attended various charity activities organized by Chinese Community and Chinese companies in Cape Provinces. They have not only invested and started business here, creating a large number of job opportunities, but also have always been persistent in donating fund and goods to the communities and people in need, actively fulfilling their social responsibilities, giving back to the local communities, and enhancing China-South Africa friendship. Our heartfelt thanks to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

Since its founding in 1921, the Communist Party of China has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. Staying committed to communist ideals and socialist convictions, it has united and led Chinese people of all ethnic groups in working tirelessly to achieve national independence and liberation, and then to make our country prosperous and strong and pursue a better life. 

From the founding of New China in 1949, to reform and opening-up, and to the new era, the Communist Party of China led the Chinese people to open up our own waterways in the rapids of the times and embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Over the past 74 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have worked hard to overcome various difficulties and obstacles, and the country's development have attracted worldwide attention. 

Since the beginning of this year, China’s economy has maintained the momentum of recovery and growth. Solid progress has been made in high-quality development, and the growth is greener and more innovation-driven. For the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.5 percent year-on-year. China’s following distinct advantages are fully reflecting: a socialist market economy in systemic terms, a super-size market in terms of demand, a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and abundant, high-caliber labor force and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources.  

China’s economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality and continue to remain on a positive trajectory over the long run. According to World Economic Outlook updated in July, China’s economy is expected to grow by 5.2 percent and account for one third of global growth this year. China’s rapid economic growth will remain an important opportunity for the world. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

The Chinese People is pursing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. 

Chinese modernization is pursued under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. It suits China’s national conditions, serves the people and benefits the world. 

Chinese modernization is of a huge population. It is both the most difficult and the greatest, and holds great significance for the world. 

Chinese modernization is to leave no one behind. Common prosperity is our consistent goal. Confidence comes from solid progress. Tested measures tailored to Chinese realities. Prosperity is not real until it is common prosperity, and development is true only when it is development of all countries. China will increase its input to global development cooperation, provide more opportunities for the world, let the development fruits be shared more widely and fairly, and embrace a brighter future of common development with people of all countries in the world.  

Chinese modernization is material and cultural-ethical advancement. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has yearned for a world of great harmony, one defined by both material and cultural-ethical abundance. 

Chinese modernization is harmony between humanity and nature. Ecological conservation is an integral part of traditional Chinese philosophy. Green is a definitive feature of China in the new era. Building a beautiful and green planet together is China’s commitment to the world. 

Chinese modernization is peaceful development. Peace is in China’s DNA. Peaceful development is the most realistic and best solution for China to pursue its national interests. The Chinese path to modernization via peaceful development will bring new hope to people of all countries who yearn for peace and development, and contribute even more to world peace, tranquility, prosperity and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa. Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership. China and South Africa share a special bond of "comrades and brothers", which has become a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. Our relations has entered a “golden era”, enjoying broad prospects and a promising future.

Under the new circumstances, China-South Africa relations are at a new historical starting point and facing new historical opportunities. China stands ready to join hands with South Africa. Under the joint leadership of the two heads of state, we will continue to deepen our political mutual trust, and expand friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in all fields to further enhance our comprehensive strategic partnership.

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

To the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China!

To the everlasting friendship between China and South Africa!

To the health and happiness of all guests!

Cheers!