Remarks by Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong

At Reception marking the 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

29 September 2008

Honorable Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte,

Honorable Deputy National Security Advisor James Jeffery

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Today, we are gathered here at the new chancery of the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I would like to warmly welcome all of you and express appreciation to you for your care and support for China’s modernization and the relationship between China and the United States.

Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has seen tremendous changes all over the country. The reform and opening up policies, in particular, have brought out the creativity and initiatives in the people of China, opened the door to the world, and raised the curtain on enormous progress in China’s economy, politics, culture and society. Our country has grown stronger, our people enjoy a better life, and our relations with the world have made continuous progress.

This year is eventful for China. Under the strong leadership of China’s central government, with the people all over the country coming together and making hard efforts, and with enormous support from the international community, China has successfully carried out the first phase of the earthquake relief and presented the world with great Olympics and Paralympics. The Shenzhou 7 manned space mission and the first-ever “space walk” by the Chinese astronauts a few days ago were another great success.

Reform and opening up are essential to China’s development. Reform and opening up are the strategic choice of the Chinese people. Reform and opening up will continue to have a major effect on the future of China and its people.

The road ahead is long and the opportunities as well as the challenges before us are unprecedented. We will continue to follow the scientific outlook of development, put people’s interest above everything else, seize the opportunities and address the challenges, and achieve longer growth at a higher level and with better quality. While striving for modernization, China will always and steadfastly follow the path of peaceful development. We will pursue an open-up strategic and work for mutual benefit with our partners in the world, and we will increase our participation in the economic globalization. We want to see China developing hand in hand with the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The overall relationship between China and the United States is showing a good momentum of positive progress thanks to the concerted efforts of both countries. There has been close communication at the top level and successful cooperation in various fields. The Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue keep producing positive results. The Chinese Government and people also appreciate the support from the Government and people of the United States for the earthquake relief operations in China and the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, which I am sure, helped further enhance the friendly feelings between the peoples of our two countries.

Very soon, it will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Our relationship has made great progress in the past 30 years. As long as both sides always bear in mind our strategic and long-term interests, abide by the three Joint Communiqués, respect each other’s central interests, increase exchanges, dialogues and cooperation, handle differences appropriately, we have every reason to expect an even better China-US relationship in the future.

May I now invite all of you to join me in a toast,

To the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the friendship and cooperation between China and the United States, and between Chinese and American peoples, and

To the health of all my friends present here tonight.

Cheers!