His Excellency Dr. Mulatu Teshome,

His Excellency Molalign Asfaw,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It gives me great pleasure to meet you all at this virtual reception in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese embassy, I would like to extend a warm welcome and heartfelt appreciation to all of you.

The founding of New China 72 years ago marked the rebirth of the Chinese nation, and started a momentous journey toward prosperity of the country, renewal of the nation and happiness of its people. Over the past 72 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and with the hard work and fortitude of the Chinese people, the once impoverished China has achieved a miracle of social and economic development, leapfrogging into the second largest economy in the world. Significant growth took place in comprehensive national strength, scientific and technological strength, defense capabilities, cultural appeal and international influence. China has met the basic needs of its people, and improved their lives to the state of moderate prosperity in all respects. With abject poverty eradicated, China now is home to the largest middle-income class in the world, and the Chinese people enjoy lasting peace, stability and happiness. The heroic fight against COVID-19 pandemic spoke volumes about the remarkable advantages of CPC's leadership and the Chinese socialist system.

Direction determines path and path determines fate. The achievements over the past 72 years were neither godsend nor gift from others. They came from the unremitting effort of our Party and people in exploration, expedition and innovation based on national conditions. Under the Party's leadership, our people has blazed a befitting path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is a path that has changed the destiny of 1.4 billion Chinese. It is a path that has laid a solid foundation for great national renewal. It is a path toward development and progress in modern China.

As an ancient Chinese poem goes, "A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, I'll set my cloud-like sail to cross the sea which raves." The year 2021 is a meaningful year in the history of New China, as it marks the CPC's centenary. At this historic juncture, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will keep forging ahead with a greater sense of urgency, in the glorious pursuit of national rejuvenation.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

China cannot be separated from the world in achieving development, and the world also needs China for prosperity. On the journey ahead, we will remain committed to peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and to the path of peaceful development. We will work to build a new type of international relations and a human community with a shared future, promote high-quality growth of Belt and Road cooperation, and translate China's new development achievements into new opportunities for the world.

We will uphold multilateralism to safeguard world peace and stability. China will stand, as always, on the side of peace and justice, follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, commit to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security at the global level, and build a world of enduring peace and common security. We strongly oppose arbitrary unilateral sanctions or the use of force, or interference in other countries' internal affairs.

We will enhance anti-pandemic cooperation to build a line of defense for life and health. As the coronavirus continues to mutate and wreak havoc, pandemic control remains the top priority of the world. As the leader of anti-pandemic cooperation, China has donated and is donating vaccines to 106 countries and 4 international organizations. Honoring the spirit of science, China will continue to work with all sides in active global origins-tracing and oppose politicization. China will strive for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world, with a focus on making vaccines accessible and affordable in developing countries. In this way, we will boost global efforts to end the pandemic at an early date.

We will embrace openness and inclusiveness to develop an open world economy. China will continue to safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO as its cornerstone, ensure stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, and bring global economy onto a path of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

History will shed light on the future, and our journey ahead will be a long one. Both China and Ethiopia are ancient civilizations. Our two peoples have the shared character of tenacity and perseverance. China-Ethiopia traditional friendship is time-tested and keeps gaining strength. In recent years, with the commitment and guidance of President Xi and Prime Minister Abiy, the two countries have enjoyed frequent high-level exchange, consolidated political mutual trust, supported each other on issues of core concerns and achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation. China-Ethiopia Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership has kept growing in both depth and width, setting a shining example of China-Africa relations.

I am pleased to see that our Foreign Ministers already had 3 telephonic conversations this year, delivering on the consensus of our leaders and injecting impetus into bilateral relations. China firmly supports Ethiopia's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, and believes that the government has the capacity and wisdom of managing internal affairs. China will continue to work along with the Ethiopian people for peace, stability and prosperity.

I am pleased to see that Ethiopia is advancing home-grown economic reform and building itself into Africa's beacon of prosperity. Profound changes are happening in various fields, opening up new prospects for China-Ethiopia practical cooperation. In the first half of this year, the two-way trade volume stood close to 1.15 billion USD, with imports from Ethiopia at around 215 million USD, up by 9.8 percent year-on-year. China's non-financial direct investment in Ethiopia grew by 168 million USD, 151.9 percent higher than the same period last year. In the first 8 months of 2021, the Addis-Djibouti Railway achieved a 40.35 percent increase in revenue into over 52.2 million USD. The China-aided African Leadership Excellence Academy and Addis Riverside Green Development Project Phase One were handed over successfully. These achievements in cooperation have contributed immensely to the social and economic development of Ethiopia as well as its industrialization and modernization drive.

I am pleased to see that China and Ethiopia have been fighting COVID-19 in solidarity. Through concrete actions, the two countries have given a vivid expression of China-Africa community with a shared future. Ethiopia was the destination for the very first Chinese medical expert team to Africa. China is the first country that has continued to donate vaccines to Ethiopia via bilateral intergovernmental channels. Up until now, China has donated and pledged to donate a total of 1.8 million doses. The BGI test kits plant in Ethiopia has been up and running. The Chinese company also unveiled its first fast-testing laboratory in Africa at the Bole International Airport.

I am pleased to see that another FOCAC conference is going to be held this year. China is ready to take this opportunity with Ethiopia and other African countries to draw new blueprints, build new consensus and explore new areas for cooperation, with a view to deepening China-Africa relationship.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

The past 72 years witnessed great changes in China. We are at another crossroads as the country is on the march with the 14th five-year plan, toward the second centenary goal of building a strong modern socialist country and the great national renewal. China will work with Ethiopia to scale new heights in the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, bringing more tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples, and making more contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the world.

Let me conclude with best wishes from the bottom of my heart:

Wish the great People's Republic of China prosperity!

Long live China-Ethiopia friendship!

Thank you.