Ambassador Hou Yanqi’s Remarks at the Reception Celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

( Sept. 12, 2024, Jakarta)

Your Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN,

Your Excellency Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and SOM Leader ASEAN-Indonesia,

Your Excellency Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN,

Excellencies and colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

Welcome to the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and warm welcome to Your Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, members of the CPR, colleagues from the diplomatic corps, the ASEAN Secretariat, line agencies of Indonesia, and all distinguished guests present tonight!

2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and with persistent hard work of the Chinese people, China has achieved a great transformation from a poor and backward country to a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and embarked on a new journey to build a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

—— China has secured the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits China’s national conditions. Through this historic course, China has achieved two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. China’s successful advancement of Chinese modernization created a new form of human advancement, which encourages other developing countries in following their own paths of development.

—— China has become the world’s second largest economy with sustained and rapid economic growth. From 1952 to 2023, China’s GDP has grown by 223 times, with average annual growth rate of 7.9%. In the first half of 2024, China’s GDP grew by 5.0%, showcasing the robust recovery and growth of China’s economy. China has been the largest contributor to world economic growth and the main trading partner of nearly 200 economies in the world, including all ASEAN countries.

—— China has brought about an all-round improvement in people’s lives. China completed the arduous task of eradicating absolute poverty in 2021, realizing the poverty reduction target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. China has established the world’s biggest system of education, social security and medical care, and continues to improve the ecological environment. The Chinese people now have an increasing sense of gains, happiness and security.

—— China has committed to peaceful development and become a staunch force for the peace, stability, development and prosperity in the world. China has maintained sound relations and built partnerships with almost all countries in the world. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed by China 70 years ago has become widely recognized principles of international society, and continues to play its role in the new era. China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind points out the right direction for human society, and leads to a path of lasting peace and security, and common development. 

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20^th CPC Central Committee was successfully held, which laid out systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The Plenary Session opens broader horizons for Chinese modernization and is of milestone significance. The resolution adopted by the Plenary Session brought out more than 300 important reform measures. All of these tasks will be completed by 2029. This sends out a strong signal that China will never stop its endeavors to pursue comprehensive reform and high-standard opening up.

China will continue to foster new quality productive forces, apply digital, intelligent and green technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, and cultivate emerging industries such as new energy, advanced manufacturing and AI.

China will continue to promote alignment with international economic and trade rules, further ease market access, shorten the negative list and foster a more conducive environment for foreign trade and investment. China will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and further improve the mechanisms for regional and international cooperation.

With more high-quality development and high-standard opening up, China will bring more opportunities to the development of ASEAN, the region and the world. 

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past year, under the strategic guidance of our leaders, ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership has achieved outstanding progress.

—— Our political mutual trust has deepened. President Xi Jinping has kept frequent contacts with leaders of ASEAN countries. China and ASEAN maintained close communications at all levels in jointly promoting regional cooperation. China is committed to working with ASEAN to promote peace, stability and prosperity as well as people’s well-being of our region.

—— Our economic and trade ties have fastened. ASEAN continued to be China’s largest trading partner, and during the first eight months of 2024, trade volume between China and ASEAN increased by 10%. China and ASEAN are working closely in high-quality implementation of the RCEP and the upgrading of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. We have also doubled our efforts in expanding cooperation in digital economy, green economy, blue economy and other emerging areas.

—— Our connectivity cooperation has achieved tangible results. ASEAN remains a key partner for high quality BRI cooperation. Flagship projects such as the China-Laos Railway and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have become “popular stars” of the region. Transportation volume of the new International Land-Sea Corridor increased by 20.8% in the first half of this year. China supports the integration of the industrial and supply chains in the region, and is willing to contribute more to regional connectivity and resilience.

—— Our people-to-people bonds have reinforced. China and ASEAN are immediate neighbors with cultural affinity and long history of communication. This year is the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. With more than 200 activities held throughout the year, we have seen exchanges soundly boosted in the areas such as youth, tourism, media, education, arts and sports. Between China and ASEAN countries, the direct flights have outnumbered 2,300 per week. During the first eight months this year, 26 million travelers have been recorded, an increase of 100% year-on-year.

China and ASEAN are partners in upholding open regionalism and true multilateralism. China will always regard ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. Looking ahead, China will continue to work with ASEAN to jointly build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, aiming at a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. We believe the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative will further contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity! 

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

China’s traditional Mid-Autumn Festival or the Moon Festival in another name falls on Tuesday next week. In Chinese culture and tradition, this festival symbolizes family reunion and community harmony. I take this opportunity to wish you all happy and healthy.

Now, may I propose a toast,

To the development and prosperity of the People’s Republic of China,

To the continuous improvement of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership,

To the amity and cooperation among countries in the region and beyond, and

To the good health of all my dear guests and your family!

Thank you all!