Address at the Reception in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China |
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September 20, 2024 Hon.Cedric Frolick, House Chairperson of National Assembly, Hon.Chairpersons of Porfolio Committees and Members of the Parliament, Hon. Jo-Ann Johnston, Head of the Department of Economic and Tourism of the Province of Western Cape, Hon. Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management of the City of Cape Town, Dear Colleagues from Consular Corps, Dear Fellow Compatriots, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, Good afternoon!Thank you so much for joining us to celebrate the 75thanniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.Holiday greetings to all fellow compatriotsin the Western Cape, Eastern Cape Northern Cape Provinces, and heartfelt thanks to all friends who have cared for and supported China-South Africa friendship. Over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has embarked on a great journey of modernization, built most complete and largest industrial system in the world, and entered the ranks of innovation-oriented countries. Productivity, scientific and technological innovation capacity have greatly improved. China has grown from a poor and weak country into the world second largest economy. In particular, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core has united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groupsto forge ahead in the new era. China has achieved the first centenary goal, and proudly embarked on a new journey to achieve the second centenary goal. Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20thCPC Central Committee was held successfully in Beijing. The session has made systematic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This is a milestone session, sending a strong signal to the world that China will advance reform and opening up in the new era. This is a key move to promote national rejuvenation and build a strong country through Chinese modernization. We firmly believe that a modernizing China will provide more opportunities for the world, inject stronger impetus into international cooperation and make greater contribution to the progress of all mankind. Since the beginning of this year, China's economic recovery has been consolidated and strengthened, industrial competitive advantages have continued to increase, and economictransformation has been significantly accelerated. Year-on-year, China's GDPgrew by5.0% in the first half of this year, the total volume of imports and exports of goods increased 6.1% , setting a historical record, the added value of high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 8.7%. Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Under the theme of "Jointly Advancing Modernization and Building a high-level China-Africa Community with a shared future", Chinese and African leaders reached clear consensus on strengthening all-round cooperation between China and Africa. Two important documents, the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan(2025-2027)were unanimously adopted.The summit has received great attention from Africa and other countries around the world.The international community praised that in early September, the world entered the time of China-Africa and lit up the moment of the South, and highly praised this historic event for setting a new milestone in the development of China-Africa relations and a new benchmark for leading Global South cooperation. |