Dear Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern,

Dear TDs and Lord Mayors and Cathaoirleachs,

Dear Ambassadors,

Dear friends from Chinese communities,

Distinguished Guests,

Welcome you all here today to celebrate with us the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. First, I’d like to convey my heartfelt holiday greetings to all my fellow Chinese studying, working or living in Ireland. I also cherish the opportunity to express to all our Irish friends, present and not present, that how much I value your participation and contribution in building the ever-growing China-Ireland relations.

Here, I would like to pay special tribute to a few special guests. Mr. Kevin Carey, Mr. Patrick Dwyer, Mr. John McGrath, Mr. Norman Plunkett, Mr. Brian Purcell and Mr. Martin Moran. They are among the earliest Irish " envoys" to the new China. In 1976, three years before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, these 5 gentlemen and their teammates of the UCD football team paid a three-week visit to China. They visited Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Nanchang, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, shared their experiences on Irish newspapers, opening a window for the Irish people at that time to know something about China. The spirit of curiosity, exploration and inclusiveness of these young people is still the source of power for the continuing development of China-Irish relations.

Dear Friends,

The past 75 years have witnessed the tremendous development and progress that China has made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and by the hard working Chinese people.

--We have historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, and more than 1.4 billion Chinese people have entered a well-off society.

--We have continuously developed the whole-process people's democracy, and the people's right to be masters of their own  lives and their own country has been more fully realized.

--We have deepened the reform of the judicial system, strengthened the construction of a safe and law-abiding China, and made China one of the safest and peaceful countries in the world.

--We have built the world's largest education system, social security system, and medical and health system, and continuously enhanced the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

--We have contributed 25% of the world's new green area since the beginning of this century, built the world's largest clean power generation network, with the largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind and solar power in the world. With an average annual energy consumption growth rate of 3%, we have supported an average annual economic growth of more than 6%, and contributed to the global response to climate change and green transformation.

--We are committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. While achieving our own development, we provide assistance to more than 160 countries and international organizations to the best of our ability to help many other countries improve their people's livelihood and move towards the goal of common development.

Today, China is the world's largest industrial producer and trading power, and the world's second largest commodity consumer market. It has formed the world's largest and fastest growing middle-income population of more than 400 million. Against the backdrop of a weak global economy, the Chinese economy has shown strong resilience and continues to be a major engine of world economic growth. In the first half of this year, China's economy grew by 5% year-on-year, attracted more than US$70 billion foreign investment. China is actively developing new quality productivity, promoting the high-end, intelligent and green development of manufacturing, and constantly enhancing new momentum for its development.

In the mean time, we are clear-eyed that much remains to be done in China’s development; sober-minded about challenges ahead. We will implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, to take more than 300 important reform measures in the next five years, improving various systems and mechanisms, expanding high-level opening up, further stimulating social vitality and development momentum, and vigorously promoting high-quality development. 

Dear Friends,

We live in a world of interdependence where the destinies of nations are intertwined. China’s growth and development have been closely linked to its engagement with the global community, including Ireland. Looking into the past, China has proven itself as a partner to Europe and Ireland, not a rival, not a challenger, let alone a threat.

For China, Ireland is a friend worthy of respect and trust, a bridge for China-EU cooperation and a partner in promoting globalization. China's further comprehensive deepening of reform and promotion of Chinese-style modernization will bring new opportunities for China-Irish practical cooperation and play a constructive role in maintaining the competitiveness of Irish companies. Let us join hands to promote the sustained and stable development of bilateral relations and build a bright future for Ireland and China.

Now, I’d like to propose a toast,

To the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,

To the prosperity of China and Ireland,

To the friendship between our two peoples,

And to the health and happiness of all the friends here and your loved ones.

Sláinte! Cheers!