I am pleased to join you in celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Over the past 73 years, China has continued the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, growing from poverty and weakness to prosperity and strength. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the past decade has witnessed remarkable achievements in economic and social development, reform and innovation. China has become the world's second-largest economy and the world’s largest trading country in goods, the largest major manufacturing country. China’s average contribution to global economic growth exceeded 30 per cent, and China is a stabilizer for world peace and an engine of the world economy. 

This year, facing complex internal and external difficulties, we have effectively coordinated pandemic prevention and control with economic and social development. The fundamentals sustaining China's steady and long-term economic growth remain unchanged, and we are full of confidence in the future of China's development.

China’s development brings opportunities to the world. The new round of high-level opening-up has created more opportunities for all countries to share China's development dividends, and the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road has provided more public goods to the international community.

This year, we have successfully hosted the splendid Beijing Winter Olympic Games and the Winter Paralympic Games, making Beijing  the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, bringing confidence and hope to the turbulent world, and conveying China’s voice of "together to the future" to the world. 

This year, facing complex factors such as pandemic, conflicts and de-globalization, China has always advocated peace over war, solidarity over division, cooperation over confrontation, upheld the concept of  building a community with a shared future for mankind, actively implemented the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, and worked with the international community to safeguard international fairness and justice. 

This year marks an important milestone--the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta. President Xi Jinping and President George Vella had a warm and friendly phone conversation and chartered the course for the development of bilateral relations. Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Robert Abela exchanged congratulatory messages and committed to pushing for the greater progress in China-Malta relations. President Xi Jinping wrote a reply letter to the teacher and students of the China Corner at St. Margaret College Secondary School, which has become a new much-told story of friendship between the two countries. We co-hosted the China-Malta friendship concert and photo exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary, bringing the celebration activities to a climax. Looking into the next 50 years, China and Malta are willing to consolidate mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, enhance economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote bilateral relations to a new level. 

The motherland has always cared about the safety and well-being of the overseas compatriots. The Chinese Embassy will adhere to the principle of Diplomacy for the People and continue to offer high-quality consular services and protection, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the overseas Chinese and the personnel of Chinese companies in Malta. We hope that all overseas Chinese will continue to play a good role as a bridge to promote the bilateral friendship. 

In October, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing to scientifically plan the main objectives and strategic deployment for national development and national rejuvenation in the next five years or even longer. We firmly believe that the Communist Party of China will lead the Chinese people to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation! 

Finally, please allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who have long cared for and supported the friendly relations between China and Malta. I wish our great motherland prosperity and the  people happiness and well-being! May the friendship between our two peoples last forever! 

Thank you!