Your Excellency Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Good evening!

On behalf of the Office of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Palestine, I wish to extend my warmest welcome to everyone present here today. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 35th anniversary of China-Palestine diplomatic relations. I also wish to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends who have long cared for China and supported China-Palestine relations.

Since the founding of PRC, the world has witnessed the magnificent achievements made by Chinese people under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Over the past 74 years, China’s GDP has grown more than 175-fold.  And we have, once and for all, resolved the problem of absolute poverty in China, lifting almost 800 million poor rural residents out of poverty. These are largely due to the fact that the CPC has led the Chinese people in exploring and advancing the Chinese modernization which features a huge population and common prosperity for all. Thanks to the strong resilience of Chinese economy, it is recovering with a year-on-year growth rate of 5.5 percent in the first half of this year. Given the great potential and vitality, China’s economy will remain an important engine of the global growth and continue to give impetus to the world’s economic recovery. China, as a country with stable development, will definitely add confidence and strength to the world.

While realizing its own development, China has also made great contributions to the world’s development. By opening up its market to the world and sharing its development opportunities with all, China has become a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions. In the past decade, China has contributed more than 30 percent of annual global growth. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. Now it has become a popular global public good and important platform for international cooperation. It involves over 150 countries and 30 international organizations, boosting nearly USD 1 trillion of investment in total.

Facing complex changes and challenges in the world, China will always adhere to its goal of upholding world peace and promoting common development. To achieve this goal, President Xi Jinping put forward a series of initiatives and propositions including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as building a community with a shared future for mankind. By implementing these propositions, we will better contribute to world peace and development.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Dear friends,

China and Palestine are good friends and partners who always trust and support each other. China was one of the first countries to recognize the PLO and the State of Palestine. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Abbas paid a historic visit to China in June of this year. The two heads of state announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Palestine, which stands as a milestone of the bilateral relations. In the new era, the two sides will continue to promote cooperation in building the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in all fields. China will continue to provide humanitarian aid, personnel training support and government scholarships to Palestine. China is ready to work with Palestine to implement those important common understandings of the two heads of state, and take the 35th anniversary of China-Palestine diplomatic relations as an opportunity to promote more tangible outcomes that benefit the two peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Dear friends,

The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue that bears on regional peace and stability as well as international fairness and justice. It should not be marginalized. The legitimate rights and interests of Palestine are not up for trade, and the demand to establish an independent state of Palestine shall not be denied. In March of this year, Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed the diplomatic relations under China’s mediation, which serves as a significant diplomatic practice in implementing China-proposed Global Security Initiative in the Middle East. It demonstrates China’s responsibility as a major country for promoting progress for humanity and seeking harmony for a turbulent world. On the other hand, the Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement set off a wave of reconciliation in the relations between Middle Eastern countries, which has profoundly changed the situation in the Middle East, and brought the Palestinian question back to the top of the international agenda. China will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative and act as a force for reconciliation, peace and harmony.

Here, I want to re-affirm that no matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will always stand with the Palestinian people. In June this year, President Xi Jinping put forward a three-point proposal for the settlement of the Palestinian question which has been warmly welcomed and highly commended by Palestine and other countries in the Middle East. The proposal emphasized the efforts to establish an independent state of Palestine, the needs for international community to step up development assistance and humanitarian aid to Palestine, and the importance to keep to the right direction of peace talks. China will continue to uphold justice and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and durable solution of the Palestinian question.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Dear friends,

Looking back, we are proud of what we have achieved. Looking ahead, we are looking forward to a better future. The development of China-Palestine relations cannot be achieved without the joint efforts of the two peoples. In the new era, China stands ready to work with Palestine to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen our exchanges and cooperation, consolidate China-Palestine strategic partnership, and take our relations to a new high.

Finally, 

May China and Palestine enjoy peace and prosperity!

May China-Palestine friendship last forever!

May all of you enjoy happiness and every success!

Thank you!