Speech by Ambassador Cao Zhongming at the Reception in Celebration of the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

25 September, 2023

Ambassador Fu Cong,

Chairwoman a.i. of the Management Committee Madame Theodora Gentzis,

Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Enrique Mora,

Members of the Federal Parliament, Governors, Mayors, and Colleagues from Diplomatic Missions,

Fellow Chinese, Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

Honored by the presence of many distinguished guests tonight, we are here celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On this occasion, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, I want to extend sincere regards and heart-felt gratitude to all our friends who care about China’s development and support China-Belgium friendship.

This year’s National Day reception is of special significance. For many friends, this is the first time we met after several years. I feel a particular warmth seeing you face to face. Many of you may have cared about China and followed China closely. Ambassador Fu Cong just talked about China’s high-quality development, which I completely agree. High-quality development is a goal that we pursue, and an important path to realizing Chinese modernization. About the Chinese economy, the message I want to convey is: please stay assured and confident, as the Chinese economy enjoys strong resilience, full impetus and sound fundamentals. While many countries are facing economic difficulties, China has more means and greater capacity to overcome challenges, and has recovered relatively fast. To have confidence in China and in the Chinese market is to have confidence in the future. Take foreign investment, China remains a major destination for direct foreign investment. Belgian businesses are known for their market awareness and investment insight, so let’s take a look at Belgium. In the first nine months of this year, over 6,000 Belgian business people traveled to China. What were they doing there? They must have gone for business opportunities. Hence, in the first seven months of this year, Belgian investment in China increased by 48 percent year-on-year. China has recently introduced 24 practical measures to further improve the environment for foreign investors and attract more investment, which we believe will create more cooperation opportunities for investors from Belgium and beyond.

China has attached importance to its relations with Belgium. This bilateral relationship has enjoyed generally sound development. Our two countries have yielded new outcomes in economic, trade and investment cooperation, signing agreements on the export of Belgian agricultural products to China and on civil aviation service. China and Belgium have expanded common understandings and cooperation in such areas as green development and tackling climate change. Educational, tourism, cultural and sub-national exchanges have brought our two peoples closer. Given the different histories, cultures and social systems, it is inevitable for China and Belgium to have different views on some matters. That said, as long as our two countries uphold the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, the China-Belgium all-round partnership of friendly cooperation will embrace a more promising prospect.

Fellow Chinese,

Friends,

Since the beginning of this year, Chinese institutes and nationals in Belgium have continued to make positive contribution to the development and reunification of motherland, and build a bridge of friendship between China and Belgium. Our fellow Chinese in Belgium have provided active support to the Hangzhou Asian Games, sponsored education, and contributed to China’s rural revitalization. Chinese companies in Belgium have fulfilled their social responsibilities with concrete actions, and made important contribution to China-Belgium practical cooperation. Chinese students in Belgium have studied hard and been full of drive, demonstrating the passion and dynamism of Chinese young people in the new era. Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of you.

To conclude, may our motherland enjoy prosperity and its people live in happiness. May China-Belgium friendship grow from strength to strength. May all of our distinguished guests good health and a thriving career.

Thank you.