Your Excellency Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission,
Your Excellency Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Your Excellency Mr. Tordeta Ratebaye, Acting Chief of Cabinet of Chairperson, African Union Commission
Your Excellency Ms. Sweta Saxena, Chief of Staff of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,
Your Excellency Mr. Mulatu Teshome, Former President of Ethiopia,
Your Excellency Mr. Abadula Geneda, Former Speaker of House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia,
Your Excellency Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, good evening!
On behalf of Mission of China to the African Union, I would like to extend our warmest welcome and thank you for joining us in celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Over the past 74 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese people have continuously made efforts over generations. We have successfully achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. And now we are proudly embarking on a new journey toward the second centenary goal, so as to comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese path to modernization. The Chinese path to modernization has provided a new option for mankind to realize modernization, which is profoundly changing China and influencing the world.
On this path, the achievements are remarkable. In the first half of this year, China's GDP grew by 5.5% year-on-year, demonstrating the strong resilience, great potential and vitality of Chinese economy, which continues to provide a strong impetus for world economic recovery and growth.
On this path, we keep on building a community of a shared future for mankind. Facing a world in transformation and turmoil, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, contributing Chinese solutions and wisdom to the prosperity and development of human society, as well as the reform and improvement of global governance.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,
China and AU are key partners in promoting the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, and upholding international fairness and justice. President Xi stressed that China-AU relations have withstood the test of international challenges, and our cooperation has deepened and expanded, playing an important leading role in enhancing China-Africa friendship and solidarity in the new era.
Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as China’s African policy featuring the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests. The AU is one of the most important doers of these ideas. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, our fruitful cooperation has moved to a higher level.
First, we continuously deepen political consensus and jointly lead the direction of China-Africa cooperation. The China-aided Headquarters of the Africa CDC announced by President Xi Jinping was completed ahead of schedule in January this year. Meanwhile, the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue was successfully held. In February, President Xi sent a congratulatory message to the AU Assembly. In March, AUC Chairperson Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated President Xi Jinping on his successful re-election as president of China. Professor Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi, with the African side jointly initiated a health care campaign for African orphans named “Warm Children's Hearts: a China-Africa Joint Action” ahead of the International Children's Day. In August, President Xi Jinping pronounced three initiatives: Initiative on Supporting Africa' s Industrialization, Plan for China Supporting Africa' s Agricultural Modernization, Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. This year, many members of the AUC leadership have visited China, further deepening relations between China and Africa.
Second, we continuously support each other and jointly promote a fair and reasonable international order. China was the first country to explicitly express its support for the AU's membership of the G20. China also supports the AU in playing a more significant role in global governance. China and Africa have broad consensus on adhering to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, opposing external interference, unilateral sanctions and racial discrimination. The two sides extend firm mutual support on issues involving each other's concerns and core interests.
Third, we continuously strengthen strategic alignment and jointly promote China-Africa “Belt and Road” cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative deeply connects with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and development strategies of African countries, forming an all-dimensional, multi-tiered and wide-ranging cooperation pattern. China-Africa economic and trade cooperation keeps expanding rapidly. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. China-Africa trade volume reached US$282 billion in 2022. By the end of last year, China's investment stock in Africa exceeded US$56 billion, double that of 10 years ago.
Fourth, we continuously promote cultural exchanges in depth and jointly enhance the people-to-people ties between China and Africa. China has cooperated with the AUC to organize important activities such as a theatrical performance themed “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of OAU and the AU Day”. In cooperation with the UNECA, we held activities such as “Happy Chinese New Year” and “UN Chinese Language Day”. All these events have further enhanced cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two sides.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,
Today, China has issued an informative white paper titled “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions”.
We are confident that, with our joint efforts, we will gather the great strength of the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people, elevating the China-Africa Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership to a new stage, and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
Best wishes to China to prosper!
May China-Africa friendship last forever!
May the world enjoy peace and development!
Thank you!