Hon. Vice President Noli de Castro,
Hon. House Speaker Prospero Nograles,
Hon. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, to extend my warmest welcome to you all for your presence tonight of the reception in celebration of the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On this auspicious occasion, I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your consistent and valuable care of and support for the China-Philippines friendship course.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. During the past 30 years, the industrious and enterprising Chinese people have succeeded in making the historic transformation of China from a highly-centralized and planned economy to a vibrant socialist market economy, and from a closed and semi-closed society to one that is fully open today to the outside world. China's economy has sustained a fast growth. The Chinese people, who once lacked basic living necessities, now generally enjoy moderate prosperity. The number of population in abject poverty has been reduced from over 250 million to 10 million. Remarkable progress has also been made in the political, cultural and social fields.
The Reform and Opening-up have changed the fate of China and China's development in turn has brought to the world profound and positive implications. Today, China has been more closely connected with the rest of the world, especially with Asian countries and our interests been more and more intertwined with the global community. As the largest market in Asia and the third largest one in the world, China's economy contributes over 10% to the growth of the global economy and over 12% to the global trade increase. China has become a crucial component of the world's economy. China's overall development has made great contributions to the peace, prosperity and harmony of the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Not long ago, China successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic Games, winning wide acclaim from the international community. The Beijing Olympic Games have not only exhibited the social and economic progress China achieved in the last 30 years, highlighted the Olympic spirit of solidarity, friendship and peace, promoted cultural exchanges with other countries, but also conveyed to the world the Chinese people's aspiration for peace, development and harmony. The success of Beijing Olympic Games attributes to the joint efforts of the Chinese people and people all over the world. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my hearty thanks to the Philippine government and people for your great support for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Over the past few days, Chinese astronauts onboard Shenzhou VII spacecraft successfully conducted China's first space walk and returned to the earth safely, marking a major breakthrough in China's manned space program. China will continue working with the international community in promoting peaceful use of the outer space, with the view to making greater contribution to the lofty cause of peace and development of the mankind.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the past three decades, the China-Philippines relations have undergone profound and positive changes. Especially in the last few years, our bilateral relations have sustained a good momentum of development. The frequent high-level exchanges further strengthened the political trust and enhanced the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. The China-Philippines friendship has been common aspiration of our two peoples. Last month, Her Excellency President Arroyo attended the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games. The constant interaction between leaders of our two countries has infused new vigor into our bilateral cooperation which has benefited the two sides a great deal. For the first seven months of this year, our bilateral trade volume has reached 18.4 billion USD, an increase of 10.8% compared with the same period of 2007. The Philippines enjoy a surplus of 7.9 billion US Dollars. During the same period, 102,653 Chinese tourists came to the Philippines. All these figures bear ample testimony to the fact that friendship and cooperation conform to the common interests of our two peoples.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Early this year, China was struck by the severe snow disaster and the devastating Wenchuan earthquake. The Philippine government and people immediately offered valuable and timely assistance while expressing condolence and sympathy. President Arroyo paid a special visit to the quake-stricken disaster area before she attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Your sincere support and brotherly help will always be remembered by the Chinese people.
In the year of 2008, our Chinese compatriots in the Philippines and Filipino-Chinese have all along rendered their support to China's social and economic progress and peaceful reunification cause, and played an important role in promoting friendship and cooperation between China and the Philippines. Your support and participation are also indispensable for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games. Your timely and strong support to your brothers and sisters in the disaster-stricken areas in China has vividly demonstrated the meaning of the old proverb. 'Blood is thicker than water.' Please allow me hereby to take this opportunity to express to you my sincere thanks and high appreciation.
This year has witnessed positive evolution of situation in Taiwan, bringing about good momentum and rare opportunity for the development of the cross-Strait relations. We will stick to the policy of promoting the cross-Strait relations, pursuing the peaceful reunification of motherland, and work hard to create new prospects for the peaceful development across the Strait. The "One China" principle is the political basis of the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations. The Chinese government will adhere to the "One China" principle and oppose any separatist activities for Taiwan independence. We highly appreciate the Philippine Government for its consistent adherence to the One China policy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The experience of the past three decades tells us that China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, nor can the world make real progress without China. The Chinese Government and people will remain committed to the road of peaceful development, to the win-win strategy of opening up, to the policy of fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, and to the promotion of harmony, sustainable peace and common prosperity in Asia and the world at large. We are ready to work together with the Philippine Government and people to further strengthen our political trust, enhance our bilateral exchanges, and promote our mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields. I firmly believe that our friendship and cooperation will surely enjoy a brighter future.
Last but not least, may I propose a toast,
To the health of President Macapagal Arroyo,
To the happiness of our two peoples and prosperity of our two countries,
To the everlasting friendship between China and the Philippines,
To the health of all the distinguished guests present tonight.
Cheers and Mabuhay!
