Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is really a great pleasure to have all of you with us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to distinguished guests present, and all friends who support the development of China-Zambia friendly relations. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Chinese Jiangxi Provincial art troupe for their wonderful performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong, the great leader of the Chinese people, solemnly declared the founding of the People's Republic of China to the world, ending the humiliation of the Chinese nation for more than 100 years. Since then, China has opened up a new journey to make the country strong and prosperous, rejuvenate the nation and bring well-being to the Chinese people.

Since the founding of new China 70 years ago, and in particular, since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy 40 years ago, China has changed tremendously and has made remarkable achievements under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China.

As the world's second largest economy, China’s comprehensive national strength has risen substantially and the Chinese people's living standard has been improved significantly. China has achieved tremendous transformation. China is fully independent, getting rich and is becoming strong, and is now on a new journey of great rejuvenation.

——Over the past 70 years, our national governance has achieved remarkable progress. The Chinese people led by the CPC have devoted to explore and establish a socialist system with Chinese characteristics which suits our national conditions. The People's Congress system guarantees the people as masters of the country. The multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CPC has established a harmonious inter-party relationship. We have formed a socialist legal and economic system with Chinese characteristics, which combines the advantages of socialism and market economy.

——Over the past 70 years, China has created an economic miracle. In 2018, its GDP reached over 13 trillion US$, accounting for nearly 16 percent of the world economy and firmly ranking at second place in the world. China's per capita GDP reached 9,700 US dollars which is higher than the average level of mid-income countries. China has become the world's biggest holder of foreign exchange reserve, the largest manufacturing country and the largest trader in goods.

——Over the past 70 years, China has made remarkable progress on people's better livelihood. At present, China has established the world's largest social security system covering the largest population and the average life expectancy has reached 75 years. Since 1978, China has already lifted more than 740 million people out of poverty. China has become the first developing country to achieve the UN's poverty reduction goals.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China cannot achieve the remarkable goals without favorable external relations. For a long time, China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, adheres to the five principles of peaceful coexistence and improves friendly and cooperative relationship with all countries in the world.

Now in the new era, China actively promotes the Belt and Road Initiative which has received positive responses from more than 160 countries and regions and international organizations. We are committed to building a community of shared future for mankind, and will continue to contribute efforts in the transformation of the global governance system.

Despite 70 years of tremendous changes and development, China is still a developing country and will remain a reliable friend with all the developing countries forever. In the last century, based on the same colonial experience, development tasks and political demands, our founding fathers like Chairman Mao Zedong, the First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and other Chinese and African ethnic leaders created our cordial relationship tested by history, and cast milestones of our profound friendship such as the TAZARA and other cooperative projects.

During the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018, Zambia signed the Memorandum of Understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) together with more than 30 other African countries, officially joined the Belt and Road family. The Belt and Road Initiative advocates policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and closer people-to-people ties, which has opened up a broader platform for China Zambia practical cooperation in various fields. In fact, many of the ongoing cooperative projects match the spirit and connotation of the BRI, laying a solid foundation to promote the Belt and Road Initiative rooted in Zambia.

Over the past 19 years since it was established in the year 2000, the FOCAC has provided a platform for China and African countries to connect strategies, outline collaboration, and seek common development, leading the international cooperation with Africa.

The history and reality of friendly cooperation between China and Africa has demonstrated that the Chinese side never makes empty promises or commitments on Africa's development, never imposes its own will on Africa, never interferes in African countries' internal affairs, and never pursues political self-interest in mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation.

As a Chinese saying goes, “Only the foot knows whether the shoe fits.” Zambia has the best say in the collaboration with China. We believe that the Zambian people have their own ideas on who really helps their country and who is the most reliable cooperative partner.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, China and Zambia are in a great era. China is making painstaking efforts to build the country into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful modern socialist country by the middle of this century, realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Meanwhile, as “an Oasis of Peace” in Africa, the Zambian people are working hard under the motto of "One Zambia, One Nation" to implement the Seventh National Development plan and realize the Vision 2030, building Zambia into a prosperous mid-income country.

Looking ahead to the future of our bilateral relationship, I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate:

Firstly, China will always be Zambia’s true friend, and is ready to strengthen our traditional friendship, promoting the sound and stable development of cooperative relationship on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment. China is willing to work with Zambia to deepen political mutual trust and keep the momentum of high level exchanges. We should also insist on advancing bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and continue to understand and support each other in matters involving our respective core interests and major concerns.

Secondly, China is ready to remain Zambia's good partner for development. The cooperation potential between our two countries needs to be explored under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC. China does not pursue a trade balance between the two countries. We are willing to support the economic and social development and people's better livelihood through bilateral trade. We are also willing to support Zambia's industrialization and agricultural modernization process by continuously implementing key cooperative projects and construction of industrial parks. We will give our two peoples a greater sense of fulfillment and enhance economic and trade cooperation.

Thirdly, China is ready to be a closer confidant of Zambia, promoting the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. China is willing to work with Zambia to continuously expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, tourism, and health, and strengthen ties among the legislative bodies, political parties, think tanks, academic agencies, the media, and NGOs. We will continue to enhance local exchanges and promote more provinces and cities to establish friendly and cooperative relations. We encourage the Chinese communities in Zambia to actively take root in the local society, deepen friendship with the Zambian people through mutual learning.

At this happy occasion, I also wish my Chinese compatriots in Zambia new successes in their future endeavor. It is my expectation that they would get along harmoniously in the local society and make due contributions to our great friendship.

Finally, May I invite you to join me in a toast:

To the good health of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and all distinguished guests present,

To the prosperity of China and Zambia,

To the peace and well-being of our two peoples,

To the bright future of our friendship,

Cheers!