Today, we gather together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Albania. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Albania, I would like to express our sincere greetings and good wishes to all friends who have long supported China's development and cared for China-Albania friendship, and extend the warmest welcome to all guests attending today's reception.
Over the past 75 years, China's path and system have been filled with energy and vitality. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people, with great courage and unremitting pursuit, have successfully embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which has brought about great changes in the country. Entering the new era, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the Party and the Chinese people in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, historically eradicated absolute poverty, achieved the first centenary goal, and embarked on a new journey of building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation in all aspects through Chinese modernization.
Over the past 75 years, China has made remarkable economic achievements. The country has developed from a poor and backward country into the world's second largest economy, as well as the world's No. 1 country in terms of trade in goods and manufacturing. In 2023, China's Gross Domestic Product reached 126 trillion yuan (about 16 trillion euros), an increase of 223 times compared with that in 1949, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. China has been the largest contributor to global economic growth for many years. In the first half of 2024, China's economy maintained steady growth, with Gross Domestic Product growing by 5%. Meanwhile, high-quality development has made impressive progress, and major scientific and technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, and the C919 aircraft made in China have injected new impetus into economic development. It has been proven that the Chinese economy, thanks to its strong resilience, huge potential and ample room for maneuver, remains strong and will remain so in the long term. The “China” of the future is still the “China” we know.
Over the past 75 years, the living standards of the Chinese people have improved greatly. The per capita disposable income of the Chinese people has increased from 50 yuan in 1949 to 40,000 yuan (about 5,100 euros) in 2023, creating the world's largest middle-income group. China has established the world's largest education system, social security system, and medical care system, and has significantly improved the ecological environment. The Chinese people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security has increased tremendously.
Two months ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing. Strategic plans for comprehensively deepening reforms and advancing China's modernization were outlined. The plenary session put forward more than 300 reform tasks that are supposed to be completed by 2029, and stressed that China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, deepen structural reform in foreign trade and management systems for domestic and foreign investment. China will also optimize its regional opening-up planning and mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative. The session sent a strong signal to the world that China's reform and opening-up will not stop, adding a new milestone to China's reform and opening-up efforts. We have every reason to believe that China, with high-quality development and high-level opening-up, will bring more opportunities to countries around the world, including Albania.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Albania. Over the past century, the two countries have written a chapter of friendship together, which can best be described by a Chinese poem: “No matter how far we are from friends, we still have good neighbors.” Albania was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with China and has made a historic contribution to the restoration of China’s place in the United Nations. In the 1960s and 1970s, China sent more than 6000 experts and assisted in more than 140 projects in Albania, providing outstanding support for Albania’s economic and social development. Some of the projects are still in operation today.
In recent years, China-Albania relations have maintained a rapid momentum of development. Leaders of the two countries have maintained frequent communications. Last July, H.E. Wu Hongbo, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs, paid a successful visit to Albania and had in-depth exchanges of views with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani on bilateral relations. The consultation on the entry permit of Albanian honey and dairy products into China has been successfully concluded, and the export of Albanian agricultural products to China continues to grow. In the first half of this year, the volume of trade exchanges between China and Albania reached over 500 million dollars, making China the third largest trading partner of Albania. In 2023, the two sides signed the Agreement on Mutual Visa Waiver and the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation, which greatly facilitated bilateral personnel exchanges. From January to July this year, the number of Chinese tourists entering Albania exceeded 13, an increase of 118,6% compared to the same period last year. It is in fact the fastest growth rate among all tourist source countries of Albania.
Standing at the crossroads of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Chinese Embassy in Albania is willing to work with all circles of Albania to promote bilateral relations at all levels, facilitate the exchange of experiences in state governance, and strengthen pragmatic cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation Mechanism. We will encourage more Chinese companies to invest and operate in Albania, and facilitate people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to strengthen China-Albania relations and the traditional friendship between our two peoples in the new era.
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear friends,
Nowadays, the international balance of power is undergoing a profound reorganization. World peace and development are facing increasing threats from unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism and power politics. With regional conflicts erupting here and there, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. In the face of significant changes unseen in a century, China will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, continue to promote the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and continue to make contributions to addressing the global peace deficit, solving the global security dilemma and enhancing mutual learning among civilizations. China will continue to call for an equitable and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China is willing to work with the international community to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear friends,
Now please join me in a toast:
For the prosperity of China and Albania, as well as the happiness of the Chinese and Albanian people,
For the eternal friendship between China and Albania,
For the health and success of all of us,
Happy!
Speech by Ambassador Pang Chunxue at the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Albania
(BalkanWeb)
