--- Remarks by Ambassador Zhou Jian at the 73rd National Day Reception

Your Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al‑Kawari, State Minister and the President of Qatar National Library,

Your Excellency Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology,

Your Excellency Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Qatar and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Your Excellency Jai S. Sohan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the State of Qatar and Chairman of Asian Ambassador's Group in Doha,

Your Excellency Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of Department of Protocol of Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good morning everyone!

It is a great pleasure to gather with you in the golden autumn season to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First of all, I would like to extend my sincere welcome to all the friends present on site and online, and my festive greetings to all the Chinese nationals, employees of Chinese firms and news agencies, and Chinese students in Qatar!

Over the past 73 years, hundreds of millions of Chinese people have forged ahead with unyielding efforts and made remarkable achievements, realizing a tremendous transformation - China has stood up, grown prosperous and is becoming strong. Especially in the past decade since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core united and led the people, building on the unremitting efforts of generations of the Chinese people, have overcome difficulties, forged ahead, and made historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the country.

It has been a decade of sustained growth in China's national strength. In the past 10 years, we have embarked on the new development stage, applied the new development philosophy, created a new dynamic of development, and led the giant ship of the Chinese economy to plough the waves and march forward toward the new destination of high-quality development. China's economy has jumped from 50 trillion yuan to 114 trillion yuan, its share of the world economy rising from 11.3 percent to 18 percent, annual growth rate reaching 6.5 percent, ranking the highest among the world's major economies for many years in a row. Over the past decade, we have made innovation the primary driving force for development and expanded independent innovation with Chinese characteristics. From "Chang'e" lunar explorer to "Xihe" the Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer（CHASE）, from "Jiaolong" （a Chinese crewed deep-sea research submersible） to "Shenzhou" manned spacecraft, China has built the world's fastest railway, longest bridge, busiest port, and 60% of 5G base stations, all of which demonstrate the technological prowess of today's China. This year, we have successfully overcome various difficulties and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and delivered a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Winter Games. We have played an important role in promoting global solidarity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together. Through 73 years of unremitting efforts, we have successfully advanced and expanded a uniquely Chinese path to modernization, explored paths for other developing countries to achieve modernization, and provided a new option for countries and nations that want to accelerate development while preserving their independence.

It has been a decade of growing prosperity for the Chinese people. A centuries-old dream finally came true. Over the past decade, we have put a historic end to absolute poverty that has plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Nearly 100 million rural residents have been lifted out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction target of UN 2030 SDA 10 years ahead of schedule, contributing over 70% to global poverty reduction. The Chinese government strives for meeting the people’s diverse needs. Over the past 10 years, China's per capita GDP has risen from US$6,300 to US$12,000, and life expectancy has increased from 75.4 years to 77.9 years. China has built the world's largest education, social security and healthcare systems, and people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security has been significantly enhanced. The Chinese government put the people and their life first. In the face of the sudden onslaught of COVID-19, China has protected its people's lives and health to the maximum extent, and has become the country with the lowest infection and death toll of COVID-19 among major countries in the world. China has achieved the best results in coordinating economic development and epidemic control.

At last year's reception, I shared the story of how my hometown, Qiaotou Village, in Gushi County, Henan Province, had come out of poverty. When I returned to China this year, I made a visit to Qiaotou Village and found that new and exciting changes had taken place there. Industry in the village is thriving. Qiaotou Village attracted a shoe-making plant. It invested more than 4 million yuan to build a production floorspace of more than 1,000 square meters, which helped the villagers who had escaped poverty to get employment nearby and therefore generate economic activity in the village. The villagers have become more prosperous. From the help given to migrant workers to the creation of public-welfare jobs, from the establishment of poverty alleviation workshops to the development of photovoltaic power stations, Qiaotou Village has come up with new ideas, encouraging the villagers to find the right path to prosperity and live a good life. The rural landscape is more beautiful now. Qiaotou Village has made great efforts to improve the living environment, piles of garbage have been cleaned up, sewage ditches have been filled up, and dilapidated dwellings and sheds have been pulled down. Today's Qiaotou village is a place people love to linger around, with white walls and black roof-tiles, rivers skirting the village, wide roads and clean courtyard, like a Chinese ink painting. In today's China, thousands of villages like Qiaotou Village, after successfully eradicating poverty, are implementing a rural revitalization strategy, and life is getting ever more prosperous. A picture of prosperous industry, well-to-do residents and beautiful countryside is unfolding across a vast land of hope.

It has been a decade of significant increase in China's international contribution. Over the past decade, as a responsible major country, China has been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, a provider of public goods and a mediator of hot-spot issues. We are committed to the path of peaceful development and have never started a war. We are committed to the political settlement of hotspot issues and take responsible actions to safeguard world peace. Following a win-win strategy of opening-up, we have contributed around 30% to world economic growth for many years. We have expanded high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, injecting impetus to global development. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, the Belt and Road Initiative will increase trade among partner countries by 2.8 percent to 9.7 percent and global trade by 1.7 percent to 6.2 percent, with 7.6 million people expected to be lifted out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty. We are committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. We have put forward the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, spearheaded the reform of the global governance system, and actively participated in global cooperation on fighting COVID-19 and tackling climate change, making Chinese contribution to building our common home, the Earth.

Over the past decade, China has scored historic achievements and gone through historic changes. The fundamental reason lies in the leadership of the CPC, with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party to steer this giant ship, and lies in the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The CPC always bears Chinese people in mind, holds truth in hands, and stays on the right way forward. We are brimming with confidence and strength.

It has been a decade of vigorous development of China-Qatar relations. Over the past 10 years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Qatar relations have entered a golden period of great development. Political mutual trust between the two countries has been deepened. President Xi Jinping met with HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani four times, laying out master plans for China-Qatar relations in the new era. The two sides established a strategic partnership and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. The mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results. Bilateral trade has more than doubled to over US$18 billion, making China Qatar's largest trading partner, source of imports and destination of exports. The traditional friendship between the two countries has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The Culture year of China in Qatar has been a wonderful one. The agreement on mutual visa exemption facilitates exchanges between the two countries, and the Friendship Committee and the Friendship Association between China and Qatar have continuously enhanced their close ties. This year, President Xi Jinping and HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the Winter Olympics together, drawing a new blueprint for China-Qatar relations. Good news of cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, oil and gas, and engineering contracting between the two countries has been reported frequently, and new breakthroughs have been achieved in common development. Here, I am very happy to announce that two Chinese giant pandas will arrive in Doha in October. This is a gift presented by the 1.4 billion Chinese people for the Qatar World Cup, and will surely become a new symbol of China-Qatar friendship.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Looking around the world, we don't live on a peaceful planet. Right now, our world is facing drastic changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century. The world economy still faces strong headwinds on its path toward recovery, local conflicts and regional crisis emerge from time to time, Cold War mentality and bloc-based rivalry are on the rise, food, energy and climate problems threaten people's well-being. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and mankind has again come to a crossroads. It is faced with two distinct trends: peace versus turbulence, openness versus seclusion, cooperation versus confrontation, unity versus division. The choice bears on the interests of all countries and the future of mankind.

Faced with the choice of the times, we must bear in mind our original aspiration for peace and development, uphold our responsibility to promote the well-being of mankind, and defend the norms of international relations on which all countries depend. Only in this way can we dispel the shadow of turbulence and create a bright future for mankind.

We must adhere to the principle of fairness and justice. There is only one system in the world, namely the international system with the UN at its core. There is only one order, namely the international order underpinned by international law. There is only one set of rules, namely the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. International rules can only be made by the 193 Member States of the United Nations, not by individual countries or groups of countries. International rules should be followed by the 193 member states of the United Nations. There can be and should be no exceptions.

Not long ago, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in disregard of China's strong opposition and representations. China has taken firm, strong, just and appropriate countermeasures. They are designed to safeguard international law and basic norms of international relations with practical actions, especially the most important international law of non-interference in internal affairs stipulated in the UN Charter. We are pleased to see that more than 180 countries and international organizations, including of course Qatar, have publicly voiced their support for the One-China principle. This fully reflects the universal call for fairness and justice and shows the support of the international community.

We must pursue common development. Faced with challenges to global development and the weakening of the momentum of international development cooperation, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, and called on all countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, forge a united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership, and promote cooperation in a wide range of areas such as poverty reduction, public health, education, digital connectivity and industrialization, contributing Chinese solutions and wisdom to solving development problems, and providing important public goods to the world. The Initiative has been endorsed by more than 100 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 countries, including Qatar, joining the “Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative”. China will continue to increase input in development cooperation, work with other countries to deepen and consolidate the Global Development Initiative, build a global development partnership that is united, equal, balanced and beneficial to all, foster an international environment conducive to development, and inject strong impetus into the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We must uphold the ideal of peace and tranquility. At present, the Cold War mentality and power politics are still lingering. Some countries, seeking absolute security, are engaging in military alliances and bloc confrontation, which has only further pushed the world to the brink of turmoil. Humans are living in an indivisible security community, and the slide of the world into a "new Cold War" will be a disaster for all. Against this background, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security Initiative underpinned by “six commitments”, namely, staying committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; staying committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; staying committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; staying committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously; staying committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation; and staying committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains. It thus offers a new approach to eliminating the root causes of international conflict and achieving durable stability and security in the world. China will continue to work with the international community to push for the implementation of the Global Security Initiative as soon as possible, uphold the principle of indivisible security, actively promote the building of a global security community and a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, and let the sunshine of peace brighten the world.

We must stay committed to openness and win-win results. Economic globalization is an irresistible trend. Decoupling, disrupting supply chains and building “small yard, high fence” are going against the tide. Trying to block other people's way will only block your own way in the end. Inclusiveness, shared benefits and win-win outcomes are what we should pursue. China is ready to work with other countries, stay committed to openness and inclusiveness, and steer globalization in the right direction. This will boost the free flow of capital and technology, unleash the full potential of innovation and creativity, and foster synergy in boosting global economic growth. We should uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, remove barriers to trade, investment and technology, and keep the global economy open. We should promote extensive consultation and joint contribution to deliver shared benefits, enhance global economic governance, and increase the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries. This will ensure that all countries enjoy equal rights, follow the rules as equals, and share equal opportunities.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

This year will be a milestone in the history of China. Next month, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held to specify the two-step strategic arrangement for building a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way, and set out the strategic tasks and major measures for the next five years. China's development is a force for world peace and will bring more opportunities to the world. This year is also a year of special significance in the history of China-Qatar relations. In just over a month's time, the World Cup will be held in Doha. After 12 years of preparation, Qatar will enter the post-World Cup era in which the "National Vision 2030" will be implemented. Next year, China and Qatar will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and usher in a bright future of upgrading bilateral relations. Both countries and China-Qatar relations will stand at a new starting point and enter a new era. We should embrace the trend of the times and seize the opportunities to build a China-Qatar community of shared future.

Entering the new era, China and Qatar need to build a community of a shared future with common goals. We should pursue equality and win-win cooperation, support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, support each other in independently exploring development paths suited to our national conditions, and work together to uphold true multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries. We must work together to successfully organize three important events. One, China will give its full support to Qatar in hosting the World Cup. The Chinese Embassy is ready to keep close communication and cooperation with Qatar to serve the Chinese football fans who will come to Qatar for the games. Two, we need to work together to contribute to the success of the first China-Arab States Summit, help build a community with a shared future and contribute to a higher level of China-Arab cooperation. And three, we will also jointly welcome the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Qatar and hold diverse exchange activities to usher in an even better 35 years of China-Qatar relations.

Entering the new era, China and Qatar need to build a community of shared future with development and prosperity. We need to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with the National Vision 2030, and accelerate the implementation of the Global Development Initiatives in Qatar. China is ready to take an active part in Qatar's development in the post-World Cup era, build a long-term and stable energy partnership with Qatar, encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Qatar, and take an active part in Qatar's infrastructure construction and free zone construction. We welcome more investment from Qatar. We are ready to work with Qatar to carry out cooperation in green infrastructure, green finance, digital economy, clean energy and low-carbon technology, build more environment-friendly projects, forge a closer partnership for green development, and jointly build a community of life between man and nature.

Entering the new era, China and Qatar need to build a community of shared future with mutual understanding and amity. China is ready to work with Qatar to expand cooperation in culture, education and tourism. We look forward to an early agreement on key projects such as the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries and the opening of Confucius Institutes in Qatar, so as to create a new platform for China-Qatar cultural cooperation and promote common development and prosperity of China and Qatar through mutual learning between civilizations. We should work together to promote humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, oppose the superiority of one culture over another and the clash of civilizations, and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

A new era breeds new hopes and calls for new achievements. I firmly believe that China and Qatar will continue to adhere to the ideal of development and rejuvenation, and maintain their friendship from generation to generation like the lovely giant pandas "ErDou" and "SiHai", unite and thrive in the journey of realizing Chinese dream - the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation - and Qatar dream - "2030 national vision". We will march side by side and stride towards a new era of China-Qatar community with a shared future!

To conclude, may China be strong and prosperous,

May China and Qatar enjoy permanent friendship,

May the people of the two nations be healthy and wealthy,

May all of you have the best of luck!

Thank you.