Your Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality,

Commander of the Center for Strategic Studies Major General (Doctor/Pilot) Rashid Hamad al-Nuaimi,

Your Excellency Maha Al Ruwaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education,

Your Excellency Saleh Al Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

Your Excellency Hassan Bin Al Ghanem, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

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

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

Your Excellency Mohamed Bahrin Abu Bakar, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the State of Qatar and Chairman of Asian Ambassador's Group in Doha,

Dear fellow compatriots,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good evening!

It's a pleasure to gather with all of you to jointly celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar. Over the past three years, in order to support the Qatari government in the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic, our embassy’s National Day receptions were held in an online-plus-offline format. It has been a long time since we had the opportunity to meet with our dear overseas Chinese and friends from all sectors in Qatar. Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere welcome to all distinguished guests and friends, and send holiday blessings to all overseas Chinese in Qatar! It has been way too long since our last reunion!

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

74 years ago, the People's Republic of China was formally founded, and the Chinese people have embarked on a new era of independently running the country. Over the past 74 years, hundreds of millions of Chinese people have forged ahead with unceasing self-improvement, scored remarkable achievements, realized a great transformation - China has stood up, grown prosperous and become strong.

Today's China walks confidently and firmly on the right path. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China drew up an ambitious blueprint to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization. With full confidence, 1.4 billion Chinese people are making big strides towards the second centenary goal.

Today’s China is full of vitality in high-quality development. In the first half of year 2023, China's GDP grew by 5.5% year-on-year, significantly outperforming other major economies in the world. During this period, China's imports and exports exceeded 20 trillion Chinese yuan for the first time, the domestically-produced large aircraft C919 successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight, and exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, solar cells, and other products increased by a combined 61.6%. China's economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and tremendous potential, providing crucial support for global economic development.

Today's China resolutely takes actions in promoting global development. Since the “Belt and Road” Initiative was put forward ten years ago, it has attracted nearly a trillion dollars in investment, with over 3,000 cooperative projects established, creating 420,000 job opportunities for countries along the “Belt and Road” and lifting nearly 40 million people out of poverty. The Global Development Initiative, which was proposed just over a year ago, has already delivered tangible benefits to nations and become a widely praised public product by the international community. Next month, China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. We are committed to a more proactive opening-up strategy, advancing the Global Development Initiatives, creating new opportunities for the world with China’s own development, working hand in hand with all countries to promote common development and prosperity.

Today’s China actively plays the role of a responsible major country. China has been promoting the implementation of the Global Security Initiative in the Middle East, injecting positive energy to the political settlement of hotspot issues. China has successfully helped resume diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran through mediation, firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people, and contributed China’s wisdom and proposals to bolstering international and regional peace and stability. Since the launch of the proposition of building a community with a shared future for mankind ten years ago, China has been firmly practicing true multilateralism, upholding the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and international fairness and justice, striving to address the common challenges facing the humanity, and calling all countries to jointly build this planet into a harmonious family.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar. As early as 1300 years ago, Chinese merchant ships set sail from Guangzhou Port and arrived at the Arabian Peninsula, making Qatari pearls as renowned treasures along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, initiating the wonderful story of friendship between China and Qatar, which is symbolized by the exchange of pearls and goods. On July 9, 1988, China and Qatar officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 35 years, the two countries have understood and supported each other, jointly composing a splendid chapter of friendly and win-win cooperation.

Over the past 35 years, we have sown trust and reaped unity.

China and Qatar maintained close high-level exchanges with our friendship growing stronger. President Xi Jinping and HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani have met five times in a decade, chartering the course for the development of China-Qatar relations. Not long ago, Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, led a CPC delegation and paid a successful visit to Qatar. For the first time, Qatar participated in the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen as the guest of honor. Our two countries have built a high-quality strategic mutual trust, firmly supported each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, and stayed in close coordination and cooperation on significant international and regional issues.

Over the past 35 years, we have sown hard work and reaped achievements. Mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries has achieved fruitful outcomes. Last year, the total trade volume between China and Qatar reached 26.55 billion dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 54.7%. For three consecutive years, China has become Qatar's largest trading partner, top source of imports, and top destination for exports. Nine years since the signing of the Belt and Road Cooperation Agreement between China and Qatar, our practical cooperation has been continuously expanded and enhanced. The two countries have set benchmarks and made breakthroughs in various fields including economy, trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, high-tech industries, and green initiatives. From Lusail Stadium to Hongqi automobiles, from Al Kharsaah Solar Power Plant to water-saving farms, Chinese brands and technology are flourishing throughout Qatar.

Over the past 35 years, we have sown goodwill and reaped heartfelt relations. The traditional friendship between China and Qatar is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. China and Qatar have stood side by side in weal and woe in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, an increasing number of young Qataris are learning Chinese and developing the appreciation for Chinese culture, Doha has become a must-visit destination for Chinese tourists. This year, the first group of Qatari youth traveled to Beijing to participate in the "Chinese Bridge" summer camp. The first pair of giant pandas in the Middle East, "Thuraya" and "Suhail", have been in Qatar for one year, and Qatari friends held grand birthday celebrations respectively for them. This year, Qatar will host the Sixth China-Arab Friendship Conference, composing a new chapter of China-Arab and China-Qatar friendship.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

In China, there is a common saying, "one reaps what he sows." And in Arabic, there's a proverb that states, "Those who work hard will achieve their goals, those who sow will reap the fruits." Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar 35 years ago, the bilateral relationship has demonstrated great vitality and harvested fruitful outcomes, setting a model of sincere relationship and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work of generations of people who participated in and contributed the development of China-Qatar relations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and highest respect to all the contributors to the friendship between Qatar and China. I hope everyone could continue to care for and support China-Qatar relations, and make greater contributions to the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

Looking forward to the next 35 years, China and Qatar should continue to sow hope and reap the future. We should work diligently to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the Qatar dream of the "National Vision 2030", building a community of a shared future between our two countries, creating a new and brighter chapter in China-Qatar relations for the next 35 years. We should jointly implement the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-GCC Summit, spare no efforts to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, support rejuvenation of our two nations, promote regional peace and development, uphold international fairness and justice, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

In conclusion, let us extend our best wishes:

Wish China and Qatar prosperity and success!

Wish a long-lasting friendship between China and Qatar!

Thank you all.