Shri Mahesh Sharma, Honorable Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

Tonight we are gathered here to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mahesh Sharma and all the friends present. In the Chinese tradition, 6 is an auspicious number, and the age of 66 is doubly auspicious. So thank you for sharing this auspicious occasion with us.

China has traveled a remarkable journey over the past 66 years.

--A poverty-stricken country at the founding of New China, it has grown into the second largest economy in the world, with 600 million people lifted out of abject poverty and average life expectancy raised from 35 years to 76 years.

--A country newly emerged from conflict and instability at the dawn of 1949, it has embarked on a path of peaceful development, achieving harmony and stability at home and contributing peace-solutions as well as peace-keepers to the world.

--A once isolated country, it is now deeply integrated in the global system as a responsible stakeholder committed to win-win cooperation with all and confrontation with none.

China has made tremendous progress after 30-plus years of reform and opening up, and is now at the cusp of new transformation.Given the sluggish global economy and the domestic structural readjustment, it is true that the Chinese economy is under downward pressure. But the very magnitude of our economy means ample room for maneuver, and effective measures are introduced to meet the challenges that come our way.

--We are encouraging mass entrepreneurship and mass innovation and putting into practice new initiatives such as “Made in China 2025” and “Internet Plus” to bring out the full potential and creativity of our people.

--We are streamlining government and delegating power to lower levelsto energize the invisible hand of the market while exercising the visible hand’s due responsibility.

--And we are strengthening environmental and labor rights protection and the rule of law to meet people’s aspiration for a better life and a green, sustainable future.

As a result, despite the moderation in speed, the Chinese economy continues to run within the proper range and is moving in a positive direction. In the first half of this year, the economy expanded by 7%, registered urban unemployment rate was around 5.1%, energy intensity was down by 5.9%, the growth of high-tech industries is over 10%, the service sector accounts for almost half of GDP, and consumption contributes 60% to growth.These figures show that the Chinese economy is still on a sound footing. And the goal of comfortable and decent life for every Chinese is within sight.

On the diplomatic front, China is a staunch supporter of peace. Seventy years ago, suffering a casualty of 35 million people, China, fighting alongside people of other countries, defeated fascism. Seventy years on, China is the largest contributor of peace keepers among the P5. When it comes to upholding peace, we don’t simply talk the talk, but rather, walk the walk.

China is a active contributor to development. We believe in the concept of sharing and common prosperity, and are promoting a community of common destiny to enable our neighbors, among others, to share in China’s development through the land and maritime Silk Road, the AIIB and other initiatives. China is never a free-rider, but welcomes all countries to get on board China’s fast train of growth.

China is a constructive builder of international order. A party to almost all intergovernmental organizations and over 400 multilateral treaties, China actively taps into the Oriental wisdom to contribute new ideas as much as solutions to make the global order more relevant and responsive.

President Xi Jinping’s ongoing state visit to the US and upcoming participation in the UN summits speak volume of China’s commitment to peace and development. The visit will give more substance to the new model of major-country relations and inject positive energy to building a more fair and equitable international order.

This year has also witnessed tangible progress in China-India relations. There have been quite a few landmark events including the visit by PM Modi to China and the evident chemistry between our leaders, the opening of Nathula Pass for Indian Yatris to Kailash Manasarovar and the implementation of e-visa for Chinese tourists. Many are breakthrough developments that attest to a turning point in our relations. What’s especially encouraging is our people’s growing passion in each other and the all-round dynamism in our two societies to engage with each other. This is crucial because as China-India relations gather steam, they have gone beyond the bilateral scope with increasing global strategic significance. Now it is incumbent upon us to set our relationship on a steady course of sound growth, because how we engage with one other not only matters to our two countries and peoples, but will also shape the future of Asia and beyond.

A few days ago, I received a letter from an 11-year old girl from Mumbai, Tanushree. She wrote that India and China should keep the past behind and move ahead, and children can play the role of friendship ambassadors in this journey of friendship. Today, Tanushree is also here with her family. Let’s give her a big round of applause. Welcome, Tanushree! And I’m happy to invite her to visit China as friendship ambassador.Actually, a few days ago, 21 Indian students just got back from an exciting homestay trip to China, and I’m sure Tanushree will enjoy her visit next year. With Tanushree and many like her in our societies, I see unbounded potential in China-India relations and am more optimistic than ever of what we can achieve down the road.

Now, I invite you to raise your glasses ina toast:

To the 66th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!

To the brighter future of China-India relations!

To the health of all guests present!