Remarks by Consul General Zhang Zhen At the National Day Reception Celebrating the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of The People’s Republic of China

26 September 2023, Cebu

Your honorable Mr. Undersecretary Terence Calatrava,

Your honorable Major Michael Rama,

Your honorable Amb. Francisco Benedicto,

Your honorable Commander Agapito Bibat,

Your honorable Major Jane Yap,

Dear representatives of Chinese citizens and Chinese communities,

Dear colleagues from the diplomatic and consular missions,

All the distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

    Good evening!

It is a great pleasure to gather with you face to face, to celebrate the 74^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China! On behalf of the Consulate General, I would like to extend my warmest welcome and greetings to all of you!

Over the past 74 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has witnessed profound changes and achieved a miracle of development unprecedented in human history. China has successfully lifted 800 million people out of poverty, enlarged the middle-income group to over 400 million people, built the world’s largest education, healthcare, and social security systems, become the largest manufacturer, largest trader in goods, second largest consumer of commodities, and largest holder of foreign exchange reserves.

 China has completed a course that took developed countries several hundred years. It has not only brought tremendous change to China, but also represents remarkable progress for human society, a significant contribution on China's part to world peace and development. Among the five permanent members of UN Security Council, China is the largest contributor of peacekeepers, second largest contributor to the UN regular budget. China has been providing large amounts of aids and assistance to many countries through bilateral and multilateral channels. China has been playing a constructive role in settling international and regional issues. China once again stands up and make countless contributions to the world just as it did in its glorious ancient past.

Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Despite the struggling world economic recovery and a challenging external environment, in the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.5% year-on-year. International Monetary Fund projected that Chinese economy is set to contribute one third of global growth this year. Chinese economy has strong resilience, ample potential and strong vitality.

 China is committed to applying a new development philosophy and creating a new development paradigm. That is Chinese-style modernization. With a huge population, it promotes modernization featured by peaceful development, common prosperity for all people, harmony between material and cultural-ethical advancement, harmonious co-existence between nature and mankind.

China’s modernization embodies the idea that “All people under the heaven are of one family”. President Xi Jinping has put forth the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. In October, China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. According to a research report by the World Bank, the Belt and Road Initiative since it was proposed 10 years ago has lifted nearly 40 million people out of poverty in partner countries. China is ready to work with all other parties to make greater efforts for the shared homeland and the shared future of humanity.

Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Currently, the 19^th Asia Games are held in Hangzhou China. The Asia Games embodies the Asian people’s shared desire for peace, development, unity and inclusiveness. In the Asian family, China and the Philippines are not only close neighbors, but also enjoy time-honored bond of kinship and friendship. It is best exemplified during the fight against the COVID-19. China is the first country to extend every help and support to the Philippines to the best of its ability. Meantime, according to the data of Philippines Statistics Bureau, from 2016 to 2022, the cumulative agreed investment of China to Philippines, is the third largest source of foreign investment in Philippines. Furthermore, since this year, China become Philippines largest trading partner, largest import source, and largest export market.  

 In the post-pandemic era, China will continue to uphold the policy of forging friendships and partnerships with our neighbors based on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Our door is wide open to anyone who wants to engage in cooperation with us. As a Chinese saying goes, “One needs good companions to travel with and good neighbors to live with.” Standing at the historical crossroads, we have every reason to believe that, an sound and stable bilateral relationship serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and both countries.

 Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

 The consular district of China’s Consulate General in Cebu covers 12 provinces in the Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Western Visayas. In this vibrant area, we two sides have a long history of contacts and exchanges. According to the archaeological findings, trade between us began already latest in the late Tang Dynasty. During last decades more and more Chinese students, tourists and businessmen are coming here. Chinese companies are also actively engaged in building the infrastructure, green energy, and digitization of the local society.

 My colleagues and I are ready to work with all the friends, with those of vision from all walks of life, to further strengthen bilateral relationship on different levels, to further enhance mutual understanding, to further expand exchanges and win-win cooperation between different cities, provinces of the two countries, bringing more tangible benefits to both peoples.

 To conclude, I’d like to express my highest appreciation to all the friends, whether present or not tonight, for your input to promote mutual understanding, for your participation to expand cooperation, for your efforts to develop bilateral relationship! With the concerted efforts of all of us, our friendship would shine brighter in the tempering of time. 

Now, I would like to propose a toast.

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

To the friendship between Chinese and Filipinos!

To the steady and sound bilateral relationship!

To common development of our two countries!

To world peace and prosperity!

To the happiness and well-being of all of you and your families!