Your Excellency First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos,

Your Excellency Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero,

Ambassadors and Colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps,

各位侨领、各位同胞,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

I am glad to be with you all in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I would like to give my special appreciation to First Lady and also to the Senate President for gracing our reception tonight. I’d also like to extend my cordial greetings to all our guests, felicitations to Chinese compatriots in the Philippines, and sincere gratitude to all friends who have been caring for and supportive of China’s development and China-Philippines friendship!  

Over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese people have worked hard as one to build a country from poverty to prosperity. China’s economic progress has made her both a powerful engine and a steady anchor for global growth. We are the world’s second largest economy and our manufacturing industry is particularly impressive in its own right, contributing about 30% of added value of global manufacturing output. China has been a driving force to global and regional growth, and Asian countries including the Philippines are the ones to benefit from this in particular. While China accounts for around 30% of growth of the world, we contribute over 50% of that of Asia.

Our development is based on a people-centered approach so that it is for all to share. Since the inception of the reform and opening up in late 1970s, China has realized poverty alleviation for more than 800 million people. In other words, over 70% of the people lifted out of poverty during the same period in the world are Chinese. On top of that, China has created the world’s largest and fastest growing middle-incomers a total of 400 million. Average life expectancy of the Chinese people has risen to 78.6 years.

China’s development is characterized by a reasonable growth in quantity and an effective upgrade in quality, a development featuring transformation and upgrading of the traditional industries, and cultivation of new industries. Despite temporary difficulties in specific areas during the alteration of the old and the new, the momentum and fundamentals of the Chinese economy remain as steady and strong as China’s determination to promote high-quality development. The Third Plenary Session of 20th CPC Central Committee was convened successfully not long ago. It outlined the overall planning for deepening reform comprehensively and promoting Chinese modernization, sending a very strong signal to the rest of the world that China will continue reform and opening-up in the new era. This is a demonstration of the pulse of the times that China is committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up. The growth of Chinese economy will create new opportunities for the region and the world at large.

Ladies and gentlemen,

2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. In 1975, the older generation of leaders of our two countries made the right decision of establishing diplomatic ties despite the shadow of bloc confrontation. Their courage leaves an invaluable legacy for all of us. 

The peoples of China and the Philippines have been close by heart and tied by blood. Over the past 50 years, our cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. Harmonious coexistence, friendship and cooperation as well as common development between China and the Philippines are in line with the shared desire and fundamental interests of the 1.5 billion people of our two countries together. History has shown that China-Philippines relations have maintained a general trend of forward-moving, despite some ups and downs. History has also shown that as long as our differences are properly managed, the road of China-Philippines cooperation will be even broader. So let us renew the original commitment to our diplomatic ties, keep in mind the well-being of the two peoples, always remember the fundamental interests of our two countries, and work together to steer clear of disruptions, and advance China-Philippines friendship and cooperation for common prosperity and lasting peace.

各位同胞:长期以来，广大在菲华侨华人在不同历史时期为推动两国友好合作作出了巨大贡献。我要借此机会向你们表达崇高的敬意！希望大家继续精诚团结、担当作为，充当两国人民相知相亲的使者，共同为中菲友好添砖加瓦，为中菲关系保驾护航。

Now, let me conclude by wishing prosperity for both China and the Philippines!

May the peoples of the two countries happiness!

Long live the traditional friendship between China and the Philippines!